NIDCOM rejects retaliation, insists diplomacy remains best option against xenophobic violence

Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) has defended Nigeria’s continued reliance on diplomacy in responding to recurring xenophobic attacks and killings of Nigerians in South Africa, insisting that sustained engagement remains the most viable option despite mounting public frustration.

Speaking during Frontline, a current affairs programme on Eagle 102.5 FM, Ilese-Ijebu, the Director of Media, Public Relations and Protocols at NIDCOM, Abdulrahman Balogun, acknowledged the growing concerns over repeated violence against Nigerians but maintained that diplomacy remains indispensable.

“There is no end to the diplomacy. We’ll continue to discuss it,” Balogun stated while responding to questions on whether Nigeria’s long-standing diplomatic strategy has yielded meaningful protection for its citizens in South Africa.

Describing the recurring attacks as “quite appalling” and “very unfortunate,” Balogun traced the crisis back to the post-apartheid era, noting that xenophobic violence against Nigerians and other African migrants has persisted intermittently since 1994.

According to him, successive Nigerian governments have consistently sought lasting solutions through bilateral engagements, high-level diplomatic visits, and parliamentary interventions.

“I mean, from 1994, we’ve been having this attack up and down. And governments from that time have been trying to find a lasting solution to this problem,” he said.

Balogun recalled several major waves of violence recorded in 2000, 2009, 2014, 2019 and subsequent years, stressing that Nigeria has repeatedly engaged South African authorities at different levels in search of a durable resolution.

He cited interventions involving former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and diplomatic delegations sent to South Africa following major outbreaks of violence.

The NIDCOM spokesperson also referenced a Memorandum of Understanding on early warning mechanisms reportedly reached between both countries but lamented that implementation has remained weak and ineffective.

According to him, even public apologies and assurances from South African authorities after previous attacks have failed to stop the violence or guarantee sustained protection for Nigerians living and working in the country.

Pressed on whether diplomacy could still be considered effective in light of repeated attacks, Balogun disclosed that more than 100 Nigerians have been killed in South Africa since NIDCOM came into existence in 2019.

“Since we came on board in 2019, we must have recorded over 100 Nigerians killed in all kinds of attacks in South Africa,” he revealed.

He, however, clarified that the latest reported incident involved fewer confirmed deaths but insisted that the broader pattern of violence remains deeply concerning.

Balogun also reacted to calls for retaliatory measures against South Africa, including suggestions by some political figures advocating sanctions or economic restrictions.

While admitting that such demands may resonate emotionally with many Nigerians angered by the killings, he warned that aggressive economic retaliation could ultimately hurt Nigeria more than South Africa.

“So if you shut it down, Nigeria will be more affected and we will hurt ourselves economically, even here in Nigeria,” he said, citing the strong commercial ties and multinational business operations existing between both countries.

On the issue of justice and accountability, the NIDCOM spokesman expressed concern over what he described as inadequate political will within South Africa to prosecute perpetrators of xenophobic attacks.

“I am not aware of any of those single cases that the perpetrators have been punished or reprimanded for that unfortunate behaviour,” he said.

Balogun disclosed that diplomatic engagements between both countries remain active, including recent meetings involving Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and the South African High Commission in Abuja.

According to him, Nigeria’s demands continue to focus on proper investigation of attacks, prosecution of offenders, improved protection for Nigerians, and full implementation of existing bilateral agreements.

He further confirmed that about 130 Nigerians have already registered for voluntary evacuation following renewed unrest in parts of South Africa.

Balogun explained that most Nigerians affected by the violence are informal sector workers, including traders, artisans, and service providers who often lack institutional protection and are more vulnerable during outbreaks of xenophobic attacks.

“Those are the people that are majorly affected,” he noted.

He clarified that evacuation efforts remain voluntary and are being coordinated through Nigeria’s diplomatic mission in South Africa in collaboration with relevant government agencies and humanitarian partners.

Drawing comparisons with previous evacuation exercises from conflict zones such as Sudan, Libya, Ukraine and Lebanon, Balogun said Nigeria has continued to rely on structured inter-agency coordination and voluntary registration frameworks to assist distressed citizens abroad.

Despite widespread criticism that diplomatic efforts have not succeeded in ending xenophobic violence in South Africa, Balogun insisted that engagements remain active at executive, diplomatic, and parliamentary levels.

“Things are going on. Not all these diplomatic shuttles are there in the public space for people to know, but things are going on,” he added.

He concluded by reiterating that while the frustration and anger of Nigerians are understandable, the Federal Government remains committed to dialogue, regional diplomacy, and institutional cooperation rather than confrontation.

According to him, sustained engagement through bilateral channels and African multilateral institutions still offers the best hope for achieving long-term protection and peaceful coexistence for Nigerians living in South Africa.