NiDCOM warns Nigerians in South Africa amid rising anti-foreigner protests

The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) has urged Nigerian citizens residing in South Africa to remain vigilant and adhere strictly to safety advisories following a surge in anti-foreigner protests across parts of the country.

The warning follows a security circular issued by the Nigerian Consulate General in Johannesburg on April 22, which indicated that protests in cities such as East London, Cape Town, Durban, and parts of KwaZulu-Natal have turned violent, leading to looting, destruction of property, and injuries.

According to the advisory, further demonstrations are expected in Gauteng Province between April 27 and April 29, with protesters reportedly seeking to pressure authorities over the presence of foreign nationals.

In a statement signed by its Head of Media, Public Relations and Protocols, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, NiDCOM advised Nigerians to avoid protest areas, refrain from engaging with demonstrators, and closely monitor local developments.

The commission also urged Nigerians to remain law-abiding and take precautionary measures to ensure their safety.

Business owners were specifically cautioned to consider temporarily shutting down operations during the protest period, particularly around Freedom Day on April 27, as foreign-owned businesses are often targeted during such unrest.

NiDCOM reaffirmed its support for the Consul-General in Johannesburg, Ninikanwa Okey-Uche, noting that the consulate remains operational and is working with local security agencies to protect Nigerian nationals.

It further disclosed that Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Onoh, is engaging with South African authorities as part of ongoing diplomatic efforts to address the situation.