The House of Representatives has called for stronger diplomatic action against South Africa over recurring xenophobic attacks targeting Nigerians and other African nationals.
Lawmakers made the call during deliberations on the continued incidents of violence, intimidation and discrimination against foreign nationals living in South Africa.
Members of the House condemned the attacks and urged the Federal Government to take more decisive steps to protect Nigerians residing in the country.
The lawmakers expressed concern that repeated incidents of xenophobic violence continue to threaten the safety and wellbeing of Nigerians abroad.
As part of its resolutions, the House called on the Federal Government to seek formal assurances from South African authorities regarding the protection of Nigerian citizens and their businesses.
Lawmakers also urged the government to press for the arrest and prosecution of individuals responsible for attacks on Nigerians and other foreign nationals.
The House further recommended the strengthening of emergency consular arrangements to provide support for Nigerians affected by xenophobic violence.
In addition, lawmakers called for the creation of a verified register of affected Nigerians to facilitate legal assistance, compensation claims and other forms of support.
The lawmakers argued that the continued occurrence of xenophobic attacks raises concerns about the safety of Nigerians living and working in South Africa.
They stressed that protecting citizens abroad remains a key responsibility of government and called for sustained diplomatic engagement on the issue.
The House noted that stronger cooperation between both countries would be necessary to prevent future incidents and strengthen relations between Nigeria and South Africa.
The resolution reflects growing concern within the National Assembly over the recurring attacks and the need for more effective measures to safeguard Nigerians living overseas.
The lawmakers expressed hope that stronger diplomatic engagement would help address the problem and ensure greater protection for affected communities.
