By BANNERNEWS Reporter, Calabar
A legal practitioner and public commentator, Justice Osai Ahiakwo, has called on the Federal Government to demand justice and stronger protection for Nigerians in South Africa following reported attacks and killings of Nigerians and other African nationals.
Ahiakwo said Nigeria’s reported restriction of official visits to South Africa was justified but not enough to address the situation.
He said the measure could create diplomatic pressure on South Africa, but would not directly protect Nigerians living in the country or bring those responsible for attacks to justice.
“Preventing Nigerian officials from travelling to South Africa does not directly protect Nigerians who are already living there,” he said.
He said Nigeria should use the restriction as diplomatic leverage to demand concrete action from the South African authorities.
According to him, attacks and killings involving Nigerians should be properly investigated, while perpetrators should be prosecuted regardless of their status.
He also called for investigation and accountability where security personnel were implicated in attacks.
Ahiakwo urged Nigeria to strengthen consular protection for citizens at risk and systematically monitor cases involving the killing or serious assault of Nigerians in South Africa.
He said diplomatic assurances should not end Nigeria’s response, stressing that the government should monitor whether investigations were conducted, prosecutions commenced and perpetrators brought to justice.
The lawyer also called for stronger African involvement, noting that Nigerians were not the only Africans who had reportedly suffered xenophobic attacks in South Africa.
He said the African Union had a role to play in protecting the safety, dignity and fundamental rights of Africans across the continent.
Ahiakwo, however, warned against retaliatory measures targeting South African citizens or businesses, saying such actions would not resolve the problem.
“The objective should be accountability, protection and deterrence,” he said.
He said if diplomatic representations failed to produce meaningful improvement, Nigeria should consider progressively stronger but proportionate diplomatic measures.
Ahiakwo said the ultimate test of Nigeria’s response should be whether it makes Nigerians safer and ensures that those responsible for attacks face justice.
“Restricting official visits may be a reasonable first step, but it cannot be the final response where Nigerian lives are repeatedly lost,” he said.
