Vice President Kashim Shettima has warned that the Nigerian government would no longer tolerate any form of xenophobic or Afrophobic attacks against its citizens.
He also spoke against the alleged humiliation and mistreatment of Nigerians and other African nationals, in South Africa.
The Vice President spoke in Luanda, Angola, shortly before his departure for Nigeria after representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the 21st Extraordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union (AU).
He also reminded South Africans of Nigeria’s historic sacrifices and contributions to the liberation of Southern Africa, saying those who benefited from such support should not turn around to humiliate Nigerians.
The Vice President said the Nigerian government and people would no longer accept situations in which Nigerians were dehumanised or subjected to degrading treatment.
“The government and people of Nigeria will no longer countenance a situation whereby our people are dehumanised and put into very, very unacceptable situations,” he declared.
Shettima, however, made it clear that Nigeria was not seeking confrontation with South Africa, insisting that the Federal Government remained committed to resolving contentious issues through diplomacy, dialogue and constructive engagement.
The Vice President also urged South African authorities to exercise restraint in the enforcement of immigration laws, stressing that legitimate immigration enforcement must not translate into the violation of the rights, dignity or safety of Nigerians and other African nationals.
The Vice President subsequently departed Luanda for Nigeria after concluding his engagements at the AU extraordinary summit.
