Xenophobia: Nigeria High Commission In South Africa compiles list of victims

• As South Africa’s High Commissioner to Nigeria denies attacks

The High Commissioner, Ambassador Kabiru Bala, urged all Nigerian victims in South Africa to come forward to report their situation to the High Commission, as a list of victims is being compiled.

Ambassador Bala, who revealed this in a statement on Tuesday, said with the list of the victims complied, the Nigeria High Commission will hold Diplomatic talks with the South African government.

The Commissioner appealed to all Nigerians to remain calm and avoid any ‘precipitate action’, adding that any action taken hurriedly may jeopardise the “arduous task of engaging the South African government, through diplomatic channels to bring the situation under control and to restore normalcy.”

The statement read: “The High Commission of Nigeria in Pretoria views with concern the ongoing loss of lives, arson, and looting of properties in some parts of Gauteng Province of South Africa.

“Some of the victims of the anarchy are Nigerians and other Africans.

“The High Commission and the Consulate in Pretoria and Johannesburg are compiling the list of all the Nigerian victims of the current anarchy for engagement with the South African government and other stakeholders for succor.

“In this regard, all Nigerian victims of the current attacks are requested to come forward to report their situation to the High Commission and the Consulate.

“The two Missions will continue to be home to all Nigerians in this trying times and in the future. Since the outbreak of the attacks last week, the two Missions have remained open and continued to render normal services to Nigerians and other customers without hindrance.”

However, South Africa’s High Commissioner to Nigeria has denied reports of Xenophobic attacks in his country.

The High Commissioner, Bobby Monroe, denied that the attacks in South Africa are xenophobic and targeted at Nigerians.

The Commissioner made the comments at a media briefing with Nigeria’s foreign affairs Minister, Geoffrey Onyeama.

He described the attacks as ‘sporadic acts of violence’ adding that businesses belonging to other South Africans were also affected in the violence.