No Nigerian was killed in South Africa, FG backtracks

- The Nigerian government on Thursday, February 24, debunked reports that some Nigerians were killed in a xenophobic attack in South Africa

- The minister of state for foreign affairs Khadija Abba-Ibrahim said no Nigerian live was lost in the attacks

- She said this after a meeting with the High Commissioner of South Africa to Nigeria

The Nigerian government on Thursday, February 24, debunked reports that some Nigerians were killed in a xenophobic attack in South Africa.

Since the past week, there have been series of reports of attacks on Nigerians by South Africans.

The attacks, the reports said were focused on Nigerian business owners in South Africa.

Also, Nigerian lawmakers on Tuesday, February 21, summoned the Nigerian Ambassador to South Africa to proffer solutions and prevent such attack on Nigerians living in South Africa.

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In the same vain, the Abike Dabiri-Erewa, the presidential adviser on foreign affairs called on the Africa Union to intervene on the matter.

However, speaking to journalists after a meeting with the High Commissioner of South Africa to Nigeria, the minister of state for foreign affairs Khadija Abba-Ibrahim said no Nigerian live was lost in the attacks.

She said the reports that mentioned the killing of Nigerians in the xenophobic attacks are unsubstantiated.

“The ministry has not received the report of any death of Nigerian in the latest incidents of attacks against foreigners," Abba-Ibrahim said.

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“The Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria is in constant touch with the Nigerian Union in South Africa, the Department of International Relations and Cooperation, DIRCO of South Africa, as well as the South African police.

“All these agencies have confirmed that no Nigerian life was lost in the recent incident.

“The government is in touch with South African authorities to ensure the safety of Nigerians there,” she said.

The minister also appealed to journalists to desist from escalating issues with unconfirmed reports.

Also, the South Africa High Commissioner to Nigeria said his government was on top of the situation.

Aaron-Mnguni said, “The Minister of Foreign Affairs of South Africa will hold a briefing with the diplomatic community on Friday to fashion out more ways to solve the problem.”

Source: Legit.ng