Wale Jagun
The House of Representatives on Tuesday resolved to investigation the human and economic losses suffered by Nigerians in xenophobic attacks in South Africa, with a view to documenting victims’ losses, pursuing compensation where applicable and strengthening diplomatic efforts to protect Nigerians living abroad.
The resolution followed the adoption of a motion sponsored by Rep. Babajimi Benson, the Chairman, House Committee on Defense, who is representing Ikorodu Federal Constituency.
In moving the motion, Benson said the absence of a comprehensive assessment of casualties, property destruction and economic losses prevented the country from seeking redress for affected citizens.
The lawmaker stressed that a detailed investigation had become imperative to establish the full human, social and economic impact of the attacks and provide a basis for lasting legislative and diplomatic responses.
He recalled Nigeria’s significant role in the struggle against apartheid in South Africa, noting that the country contributed diplomatic, financial and political support towards the liberation of South Africa.
According to him, “Nigeria remains one of the foremost architects of South Africa’s liberation, having committed enormous diplomatic, financial and political resources towards the dismantling of apartheid, including sustained advocacy at the United Nations, the Commonwealth and the Organisation of African Unity, establishment of the Southern African Relief Fund, educational scholarships for South Africans and the imposition of economic sacrifices on its own citizens in support of the struggle for freedom.”
Benson, however, lamented that Nigerians legally residing in South Africa had continued to suffer repeated xenophobic attacks over the past two decades.
He listed incidents recorded in 2008, 2015, 2017, 2019 and 2021, which he said resulted in loss of lives, destruction of businesses, displacement of residents and diplomatic tensions between Nigeria and South Africa.
“Nigerians residing lawfully in the Republic of South Africa have, for nearly two decades, remained recurrent targets of xenophobic violence characterised by killings, mob attacks, physical assaults, arson, looting of businesses, destruction of properties, forced displacement, intimidation and hate campaigns principally directed at African migrants.”
He stated that previous condemnations and diplomatic engagements had not been supported by a detailed assessment of the extent of losses suffered by Nigerians.
”Condemnation and diplomatic protests without a corresponding institutional effort to comprehensively document the losses suffered by Nigerians have denied the Federal Government and the National Assembly an authoritative evidential basis for policy formulation, legislative intervention and sustained diplomatic negotiations,” he said.
Following the adoption of the motion, the House mandated its Committees on Integration and Cooperation in Africa and Diaspora, and Foreign Affairs to investigate the casualties, property losses and economic impact of previous and recent xenophobic attacks involving Nigerians in South Africa.
The committees were also directed to compile an inventory of properties abandoned by Nigerians as a result of the attacks and recommend diplomatic, legal and policy measures to enhance accountability, seek possible compensation for victims and improve the protection of Nigerians residing in South Africa.
The panels are expected to report back to the House within four weeks for further legislative action.
