Another wave of xenophobic attacks in South Africa has triggered outrage among Nigerians at home and in the diaspora, with many criticising the Federal Government’s response as weak and ineffective compared to Ghana’s swift diplomatic intervention to protect its citizens.
Findings by Sunday PUNCH revealed that the backlash followed an advisory issued on Friday by the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, urging Nigerians living in South Africa to remain indoors, avoid protests, and temporarily shut down businesses in anticipation of further violence.
The warning followed an official circular from the Consulate General of Nigeria in Johannesburg (Ref No: CGJHB/AD/209/VOL I), dated April 22, 2026, which reported that demonstrations in East London, Cape Town, Durban and parts of KwaZulu-Natal had turned violent, resulting in looting, property damage and injuries.
In a statement by the Head of Media, Public Relations and Protocols Unit, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, NiDCOM disclosed that intelligence from the consulate indicated further protests were planned in Gauteng Province between April 27 and 29, 2026.
The demonstrations are to pressure the South African government over the presence of foreign nationals.
While NiDCOM described the advisory as a precautionary measure, many Nigerians said it reflected a troubling pattern of “passive diplomacy” in the face of repeated attacks.
