South Africa has shut its Consulate in Lagos following fears of reprisal over the ongoing attack on foreigners in parts of the country.
The country’s Consul-General in Nigeria, Sam Monaisa, said this in a statement to a South African Business Forum.
According to Monaisa, the closure would remain in force until Thursday (today).
Although the situation in Durban has calmed down, he was concerned about the Nigerians that were being repatriated.
Monaisa accused Nigerians of “using the social media to blow an already tensed situation in South Africa out of proportion and stoking emotions”.
He said this was why Nigerians now believe their compatriots were being killed daily in South Africa.
He warned members of SABF, to stay alert and not move around unnecessarily.
Meanwhile, Nigeria’s Consul General in South Africa, Ambassador Uche Ajulu-Okeke, said on Wednesday that eight Nigerians have so far indicated interest to return home due to xenophobic attacks.
Ajulu-Okeke told the News Agency of Nigeria on phone from Johannesburg, South Africa that the Nigerian mission was already working with them to facilitate their journey back home.
She said: “I am working with eight Nigerians who have indicated interest to go home.
“They are presently at the deportation holding facility at Limbola, South Africa.”
The Consul General said the mission held a meeting with leaders of the Nigerian Union in the nine provinces of South Africa.
She said: “The meeting was successful.
“Victims of the attacks came with wounds, including machete and gunshot wounds.
“They narrated how they were attacked and brought pictures.
“We took note of all that.
“The mission asked all the provincial chairmen of the union to collate all information reported.”
Ajulu-Okeke said the report would be sent to the Federal Government for further action, adding that the mission and the union worked out a vigilance defence mechanism to protect Nigerians.
She also said the attacks had reduced and that Nigerians were asked to be vigilant inspite of the current development.
The President of Nigerian Union in South Africa, Ikechukwu Anyene, also told NAN that the meeting with the mission was used to assess the situation and take stock of losses suffered by Nigerians.
Anyene said: “It was a successful meeting.
“Victims of the attack came and gave firsthand account of their experiences.
“We asked them to collate their losses and these will be sent to the government for further action.”