Nigerians in South Africa Raise Alarm Over Renewed Xenophobic Threats

Nigerians residing in South Africa have voiced serious concerns over fresh xenophobic threats from an anti-migrant movement known as Operation Dudula.

Leaders of Nigerian communities in the country are calling for urgent diplomatic intervention following reports of harassment and attacks allegedly carried out by the group, which has been accused of preventing foreigners from accessing public hospitals.

The development comes amid rising tension, with fears of another outbreak of xenophobic violence.

In a viral video circulating online, a leader of the group was seen ordering foreigners to leave a public hospital.
He declared:

> “If you know you are not South African, stand up right now. Don’t try us because we are going to check everybody.”

Formed as a grassroots campaign, Operation Dudula claims to be fighting illegal immigration, drug trafficking, and what it describes as the unlawful takeover of jobs and public services by undocumented foreigners. Reports indicate that its members have been blocking clinics, checking businesses, and confronting immigrants.

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Nigerians Cry Out for Protection

Community leaders have described the situation as alarming and demanded immediate government intervention.

Frank Onyekwelu, President of the Nigerian Citizens Association in South Africa, said the harassment amounts to xenophobia targeted at foreign nationals.

“We have cried out against this ill-treatment. It is a clear display of hate and injustice against foreigners. We are not happy with it,” he stated.

Onyekwelu added that Nigerians have reached out to political groups and immigration bodies for assistance, citing disturbing cases of women forced to give birth outside hospitals without care, and patients being discharged without treatment.

“Imagine a woman giving birth on a bare floor in front of a hospital without a midwife. Some patients are being forced out without care. In life-and-death situations, they could just die like chickens,” he lamented.

He explained that Nigerian doctors are stepping in to provide emergency support until the situation improves.

Similarly, Smart Nwobi, President of the Nigerian Union in South Africa, condemned the harassment of Nigerians and other foreigners. He recalled the case of a nursing mother prevented from taking her baby for immunization at a public hospital.

“This is alarming. We are appealing to the government to deploy security agents to protect public facilities so criminals will not take the law into their own hands,” Nwobi said.

He stressed that Operation Dudula is not a government body but rather a group of locals accusing foreigners of seizing opportunities. He also pointed out that some of the group’s leaders are not originally South African, with some even holding dual citizenship.

Describing them as “criminals,” Nwobi insisted that their actions breach South Africa’s Constitution. He revealed that the Nigerian Embassy has been informed and that the African Diaspora Forum is considering legal action.

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Nigerians Share Painful Experiences

Some Nigerians living in South Africa say the group uses community activism as a cover for criminal activity.

“They are simply criminals. Even political groups like Julius Malema’s Economic Freedom Fighters have demanded investigations into them,” one resident said.

New migrant, Ify Eze, narrated how she was insulted by an immigration officer upon arrival in South Africa.

“The hostility is overwhelming, especially from some members of the Zulu community. They make life extremely hard for us,” she said.

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Diplomatic Reactions

Former Nigerian diplomat, Rasheed Akinkuolie, strongly condemned the harassment of Africans in South Africa, describing it as illegal and a lingering effect of apartheid.

“Why are they not targeting whites, their real oppressors? Why only Black foreigners?” he queried.

He urged Nigerians to ensure their documents remain valid, while calling on the Nigerian government to summon the South African ambassador for urgent talks.

Similarly, former Ambassador Ogbole Amedu-Ode warned that the attacks could strain Nigeria–South Africa relations and weaken African unity.

“The South African government has a duty to protect all residents in their country,” he emphasized.

The Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that African Ambassadors in South Africa are already engaging with the government to seek a lasting solution to the crisis.