Xenophobia: Lawan Blows Hot Over Killing Of Nigerians, Gives Stern Warning To South Africa
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Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, on Monday, said that Nigeria would no longer tolerate the killing of its citizens in South Africa under any guise.
According to him, adequate measures must be taken to halt the incessant killing of Nigerians in South Africa.
Lawan’s stern warning came as the immediate-past Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Geoffrey Onyeama, appeared before the Senate for screening and confirmation for reappointment as a minister.
The Senate President, who did not hide his disappointment over the continued killing of Nigerians in South Africa, said that he had written the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to furnish him with number of Nigerians so far killed in South Africa.
He said that he will also write the South African Government to ask what the country is doing to stop the killing of Nigerians in the former apartheid country.
Lawan said: “I personally met with the South African High Commissioner to Nigeria. If we don’t get things in place, more Nigerians may be killed abroad. Even if Nigerians commit crimes, killing them should not be the first option. This has got to stop.
“I have written to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. I have asked them to furnish us with names of Nigerians killed in South Africa so far. We are going to write to the South African Government and we will put an end to these killings.”
Senate Chief Whip, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, in his question, also highlighted the maltreatment of Nigerians by officials of American Embassy.
The Abia North senator insisted that something must be done to ensure that Nigerians get fair treatment without any harassment.
Onyeama in his response noted that some criminal elements in the Nigerian community in South Africa were a setback for them.
The nominee told the Senate that plans were underway to halt the killing.
According to him, a frame work has been formulated for Nigerian Presidents and South Africa President to meet regularly to talk about more bilateral agreements and about how to solve some of the problems.
