Senate President Godswill Akpabio has criticised the South African government over what he described its failure to respond to attacks on Nigerians in the country.
“The lives of Nigerians are very, very important and crucial, and that’s why we are here; we are here to protect the lives, the welfare and the properties of Nigerians,” Akpabio said during the plenary on Tuesday.
“This is just not acceptable. This is barbaric, this is crude, this is unheard of, this is stone-age behaviour.”
The senate president said the absence of decisive action by South African authorities is concerning.
“And we are not seeing action from the government of South Africa. That is the aspect that annoys me. We are not seeing action,” he said.
The senate subsequently condemned the attacks on Nigerians and resolved to constitute a joint ad hoc committee with the house of representatives to visit South Africa.
Lawmakers said the delegation, to be led by Akpabio, will undertake a fact-finding and diplomatic visit to South Africa.
They said the visit is aimed at finding lasting solutions to the crisis, while the delegation is expected to engage the South African parliament to formally convey Nigeria’s displeasure.
The senate also resolved to write to the speaker of the South African parliament, adding that Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, the minister of foreign affairs, would be invited to brief the chamber on diplomatic efforts.
The resolutions followed a motion of urgent national importance sponsored by Osita Izunaso and presented by Aniekan Bassey.
The motion was titled “Intensifying xenophobic persecution of Nigerians in South Africa and Ghana: A call for urgent national, diplomatic and humanitarian action to defend the dignity, safety and honour of Nigerian citizens.”
The senate said the attacks have resulted in loss of lives, destruction of businesses and displacement of families.
Lawmakers said victims have suffered psychological trauma and loss of dignity, adding that there has been a lack of accountability for perpetrators.
The senate warned that failure to act could worsen diplomatic tensions and regional instability and urged the government to establish a protection framework that will include early warning systems, evacuation plans and legal support for Nigerians in the diaspora.
The chamber also recommended humanitarian assistance for victims, adding that the support should include temporary shelter, legal representation and trauma care.
The senate also observed a minute of silence in honour of Nigerians killed in the attacks.
