South Africa: NiDCOM urges Nigerians to avoid protests over rising violence

By Lawrence Agbo

The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) has urged Nigerians living in South Africa to avoid protests and any form of confrontation as xenophobic violence escalates in parts of the country.

The advisory follows rising anti-foreigner demonstrations targeting foreign-owned businesses, with reports of looting, destruction of property and injuries in cities including East London, Cape Town, Durban and KwaZulu-Natal.

A viral video shows a Nigerian clothing trader being confronted by a group of South African men, who ordered him to pack up his goods and leave the country.

The incident has intensified fears among Nigerians and other foreign nationals, including Ghanaians, many of whom depend on small businesses for their livelihood.

In a statement, NiDCOM said the warning was based on intelligence from the Nigerian Consulate in Johannesburg, which indicated that further protests are planned in Gauteng province between April 27 and 29.

The commission advised Nigerians to stay away from crowded areas, monitor local media for updates, and refrain from engaging with protest groups.

It also called on Nigerian business owners to temporarily shut down their shops, particularly around the April 27 Freedom Day holiday, noting that foreign-owned businesses are often targeted during unrest.

NiDCOM added that it is working with South African authorities to ensure the safety of Nigerians, while diplomatic engagements are ongoing to address the situation.