Bauchi Central Senator, Abdul Ningi, has tasked the executive arm of government to immediately sever all diplomatic ties with South Africa over persistent xenophobic attacks on Nigerian citizens.
Ningi’s call on Tuesday at plenary at the Nigerian Senate comes amid the xenophobic attacks against Nigerians living in South Africa.
Following the attacks, the Nigerian government commenced the evacuation of willing, stranded and undocumented Nigerians in the country.
So far, over 1200 Nigerians have reluctantly and voluntarily returned home from South Africa.
However, concerned by the continuous attacks on black Africans in the country and the apparent lack of repercussions for the xenophobic acts, Senator Ningi made a case for Nigerians, saying the rhetoric of condemnation must stop and actions follow.
“End whatsoever diplomatic relations with South Africa. Nigerians have been killed left, right, and centre, and there has never been any action except to condemn it by mouth.
“This xenophobic attack is not done by mouth but physically. Imagine someone in his own house and place of business without any notice, and then mobs begin to chase that man, killed and burned him.
“As we are talking today, over 1200 Nigerians are already being evacuated. And what did the government do? Caution. Caution what?
“Don’t Nigerians deserve to live in other countries? Even if they are criminals, are they supposed to be killed in that manner? And that is why countries like the United States are different. That’s why you could see the connection between the United States’ citizens and their country,” he said.