Xenophobic Attacks: FG Advises Nigerians in South Africa to Close Businesses

The Federal Government of Nigeria has advised Nigerian nationals operating businesses in South Africa to temporarily suspend operations following a fresh wave of xenophobic violence, protests, and targeted attacks on foreign-owned shops across several parts of the country.

The advisory was issued through the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) after reports confirmed rising tensions, looting, and destruction of properties belonging to foreign nationals in multiple South African cities.

NiDCOM said the directive followed an official security circular from the Consulate General of Nigeria in Johannesburg, which warned of escalating unrest in areas including East London, Cape Town, Durban, Gauteng Province, and parts of KwaZulu-Natal. According to the circular, recent protests in these regions have degenerated into violent confrontations, resulting in injuries and widespread vandalisation of foreign-owned businesses in South Africa. Intelligence reports also indicated that additional protests were planned between April 27 and 29, 2026, raising concerns over possible escalation of violence during the period.

Speaking on the development, NiDCOM spokesperson Abdur-Rahman Balogun said the advisory to shut down businesses is a precautionary step aimed at safeguarding Nigerians amid rising insecurity. He urged Nigerian nationals to remain law-abiding, avoid confrontation, and comply with local laws while the situation is being monitored. Balogun stressed that the directive is temporary and designed strictly to protect lives and property during the period of unrest.

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NiDCOM clarified that there is currently no evacuation plan for Nigerians living in South Africa, noting that such action would only be considered if the situation worsens significantly. The commission added that Nigerian diplomatic missions remain active and are working closely with South African authorities and police to ensure the safety of citizens. Officials also confirmed that diplomatic engagement is ongoing between Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and South African counterparts over the rising tensions.

The President-General of Nigerians in South Africa, Smart Nwobi, expressed concern over what he described as increasing hostility toward migrants, especially during protests linked to unemployment and economic hardship. He urged the Nigerian government to intensify diplomatic intervention and ensure stronger protection for citizens abroad. Community leaders have also advised Nigerians to avoid protest hotspots, remain indoors where necessary, and prioritise personal safety until tensions subside.

South Africa has experienced repeated incidents of xenophobic attacks, often triggered by socio-economic grievances such as unemployment and competition for informal trade. Foreign nationals, including Nigerians, have frequently been targeted in incidents involving shop looting, property destruction, harassment, and physical assaults.

Videos circulating on social media show confrontations between local residents and foreign nationals, with some individuals demanding that migrants leave South Africa. In several cases, people were reportedly questioned over their immigration status, while others were harassed or attacked during chaotic protest scenes. Authorities have yet to issue a comprehensive nationwide response, although increased police deployment has been reported in affected areas.

Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, is reportedly engaging South African authorities to address the situation and ensure the protection of Nigerian citizens. The Nigerian Consulate in Johannesburg continues to coordinate with local security agencies to monitor developments and provide updates to affected nationals.

Xenophobic Attacks: FG Advises Nigerians in South Africa to Close Businesses

‘Nigeria’s Breakup Likely Inevitable,’ Ex-US Mayor Tells Congress

A former United States mayor, Mike Arnold, has told members of the US Congress that the breakup of Nigeria is “likely inevitable and just,” citing what he described as deep-rooted structural, historical, and humanitarian crises confronting the country.

Arnold made the remarks during a presentation titled “Nigeria at the Crossroads: The Case for Action,” where he argued that the country’s challenges are rooted in its colonial formation and long-standing governance issues. He called for a referendum that would allow Nigerians to determine their preferred constitutional future, including the possibility of restructuring or separation.

According to him, Nigeria’s federal system—shaped during British colonial rule—has continued to generate tensions around power distribution, ethnicity, and governance. He maintained that a referendum in Nigeria could offer a peaceful and democratic pathway to resolving these challenges.

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Arnold, who has previously expressed support for the Biafra movement, revisited the history of the Nigerian Civil War, describing the former Eastern Region as one of the fastest-growing economies in Africa before the conflict under the leadership of Michael Okpara.

He also raised allegations about the role of foreign powers during the war, particularly Britain’s support for the Federal Military Government, and the humanitarian consequences of the conflict, including widespread famine and civilian casualties.

On contemporary issues, Arnold expressed concern over insecurity in Nigeria, including religious and communal violence, claiming that conditions have worsened despite international attention. He referenced Nigeria’s designation as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) under the International Religious Freedom Act, noting ongoing attacks in parts of the country.

He further criticised the handling of internally displaced persons, raising concerns about gaps in recognition and humanitarian support. According to him, such issues point to broader governance and human rights challenges.

However, analysts stress that Arnold’s views do not reflect official US government policy. Nigeria remains constitutionally a united country, and successive administrations have consistently rejected calls for secession, instead promoting national unity and reforms.

The remarks are expected to spark renewed debate around Nigeria restructuring, Biafra agitation, and the country’s political future, both domestically and internationally.

‘Nigeria’s Breakup Likely Inevitable,’ Ex-US Mayor Tells Congress

Falana Challenges Lagos Govt, Says No Law Backs Sanitation Movement Restriction

Human rights lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) has urged residents of Lagos State to ignore government-imposed movement restrictions during the monthly environmental sanitation exercise, insisting that there is no law backing such limitations.

Falana maintained that Lagosians are legally free to go about their normal activities during the exercise, stressing that any restriction of movement remains voluntary and not enforceable under Nigerian law. His position comes amid renewed enforcement of the sanitation programme scheduled for Saturday, April 25, between 6:30 a.m. and 8:30 a.m.

However, the Lagos State Government has doubled down on its stance, insisting the sanitation exercise remains valid and binding. In a statement issued ahead of the exercise, the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, dismissed claims that the programme had been nullified by any court ruling.

According to Wahab, the state government had secured a favourable judgment at the Court of Appeal, which affirmed that laws supporting the implementation and enforcement of environmental sanitation are constitutional. He urged residents to disregard what he described as misinformation and to fully comply by staying indoors to clean their surroundings.

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The sanitation exercise was formally reintroduced by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on March 14, when he, alongside Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat and other officials, monitored cleanup activities in Agege Motor Road, Mushin. The move marked a return to a policy that had been largely inactive for years.

Despite this, Falana argued that the reintroduction of movement restrictions contradicts constitutional provisions on freedom of movement and revives outdated, military-era practices. He emphasized that, based on information available to him, the government had not legally reinstated compulsory sanitation with enforceable restrictions.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the restriction of movement is voluntary and not compulsory,” Falana stated, adding that residents remain at liberty to conduct legitimate activities during the exercise.

He acknowledged that the government continues to encourage voluntary participation, urging residents to clean their environments and cooperate with waste management authorities, particularly the Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), for proper waste collection and disposal.

Falana also pointed to the state’s significant budgetary allocation—reportedly about N236 billion in the 2026 fiscal plan—for waste management, drainage infrastructure, and environmental protection. He argued that such investments should be sufficient to drive compliance without infringing on citizens’ rights.

The disagreement highlights a broader legal and civic debate over movement restriction during sanitation in Lagos, with stakeholders divided on whether public health measures should override constitutional freedoms.

Residents across the state remain caught between official directives and legal interpretations, as the sanitation exercise continues to generate controversy over enforcement and compliance.

Falana Challenges Lagos Govt, Says No Law Backs Sanitation Movement Restriction