President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declined to receive a special envoy dispatched by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa
The refusal comes amid growing concerns over persistent xenophobic attacks against Nigerians in South Africa.
A Daily Sun source disclosed that the South African delegation, led by the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola, arrived in Abuja on Friday, July 24, with what was described as a “very important message” for the Nigerian leader.
The development comes less than 24 hours after the reported killing of a Nigerian national, Chika Ibe, who was allegedly picked up from his residence at Parksig Villas Complex in Bellville, Cape Town, and tortured to death by personnel of the South African Police Service (SAPS).
Nigeria has maintained a firm stance against xenophobic attacks in South Africa.
At the 69th Ordinary Session of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS, which took place recently in Lungi, Sierra Leone, Vice President Kashim Shettima, who represented President Tinubu, condemned the attacks and pledged that Nigeria would push for stronger measures against xenophobia at the African Union.
Speaking on the recurring Afrophobic attacks targeting African nationals in South Africa, Shettima called for a united continental response to protect the rights and dignity of Africans living across the continent.
He disclosed that the Federal Government had evacuated 1,490 Nigerians affected by previous xenophobic violence and reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to working with regional and continental institutions to address the crisis.
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