By Enyichukwu Enemanna
Following a recent threat by a group, Operation Dudula to launch an attack next week against foreign nationals resident in South Africa, targeting foreign business owners, shops and undocumented residents, the Nigerian Government has advised all Nigerians in the country to be on guard over a possible fresh phase of a xenophobic attack.
The group in a video posted online, had revealed its plan to march against foreign nationals in South Africa, starting Thursday, September 2, 2022.
But in a reaction to this, Nigeria’s High Commission in South Africa, through the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) in a statement on Monday, called for a high level of vigilance among Nigerians.
Titled, “Advisory To Nigerians In South Africa”, written by the Consular Section of the Nigeria High Commission and dated August 24, 2022, the Federal Government urged Nigerians to be security-conscious, vigilant and exercise caution in their daily activities due to the threats of attack.
The statement read in part, “This is to advise Nigerians living in South Africa to be vigilant and exercise caution in their activities due to the recent utterances of the proponents of the Operation Dudula and their threats to attack foreign nationals in this country.
“The group, through public notice and video clips circulated on social media has informed of plans to march against foreign migrants in South Africa, starting from the 2nd of September, 2022, and specifically on foreign business owners, shops and undocumented foreign nationals.
“Nigerian residents in South Africa are hereby advised to exercise caution and be watchful in carrying out their day-to-day activities.”
Nigerians have for a long time been prime targets of unprovoked attacks among its neighbours, particularly South and Ghana.
Nigerian nationals are often accused of occupying job positions meant for the nationals of their host countries among other mundane allegations.
Former President Jacob Zuma presided over serial xenophobic attacks on Nigerians at a time South African-owned businesses, including Shoprite, MTN and others were thriving in Nigeria.
