The House of Representatives has resolved to document and quantify losses suffered by Nigerians in repeated xenophobic attacks in South Africa.
The House explained that the move is aimed at pursuing compensation for victims and improving protection for Nigerians abroad.
The resolution was passed on Tuesday during plenary presided over by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas. It followed a motion by Hon. Babajimi Benson, member representing Ikorodu Federal Constituency.
Lawmakers said it is important to have data on casualties, property, and economic losses.
They noted that the lack of credible figures has weakened Nigeria’s efforts to seek justice and engage South African authorities effectively.
Moving the motion, Benson recalled Nigeria’s pivotal role in the struggle against apartheid, stressing that the country committed enormous diplomatic, financial and political resources to the liberation of South Africa.
According to him, Nigeria championed the anti-apartheid campaign through sustained advocacy at the United Nations, the Commonwealth and the Organisation of African Unity, established the Southern African Relief Fund, awarded scholarships to South Africans and made significant economic sacrifices in support of the struggle.
He lamented that despite Nigeria’s historic support, Nigerians residing lawfully in South Africa have remained victims of recurring xenophobic violence for nearly two decades.
He said the attacks have been characterised by killings, mob assaults, looting of businesses, destruction of property, forced displacement, intimidation and hate campaigns largely directed at African migrants.
He noted that major outbreaks of xenophobic violence occurred in 2008, 2015, 2017, 2019 and 2021, each triggering diplomatic tensions between Nigeria and South Africa, emergency evacuations of Nigerians and renewed commitments by the South African government to prevent future occurrences.
He also expressed concerns over the resurgence of organised anti-foreigner campaigns in South Africa.
According to him, groups such as Operation Dudula and similar organisations have intensified anti-migrant rhetoric, creating fear among Nigerians, many of whom reportedly abandoned their homes, businesses and investments following threats and unlawful ultimatums directed at foreign African nationals.
The lawmaker observed that although previous sessions of the National Assembly condemned the attacks and called for diplomatic action, no comprehensive legislative inquiry had been undertaken to establish the actual number of Nigerians killed, injured or displaced, or the full extent of the economic losses they suffered.
He argued that the lack of verified documentation has limited Nigeria’s ability to formulate evidence-based policies, strengthen diplomatic negotiations and pursue justice and compensation for affected citizens.
“Condemnation and diplomatic protests without a corresponding institutional effort to comprehensively document the losses suffered by Nigerians have denied the Federal Government and the National Assembly an authoritative evidential basis for policy formulation, legislative intervention and sustained diplomatic negotiations,” Benson said.
He added that a comprehensive investigation would provide an accurate account of the cumulative human, economic and social impact of xenophobic attacks on Nigerians and guide future legislative and diplomatic responses.
The House mandated its Committees on Integration and Cooperation in Africa and Diaspora and Foreign Affairs to investigate the casualties, economic losses and property damage suffered by Nigerians during previous and recent xenophobic attacks in South Africa.
The committees were also directed to compile an inventory of properties abandoned by Nigerians as a result of the attacks and recommend appropriate diplomatic initiatives, legal mechanisms and bilateral engagements to ensure accountability for perpetrators, secure compensation for victims where applicable and strengthen the protection of Nigerians residing in South Africa.
The committees are expected to report back to the House in four weeks for further legislative action.
The lawmakers reasoned the proposed investigation would provide the factual basis required to support future diplomatic engagements, improve protection for Nigerians abroad and advance efforts to secure justice and compensation for victims of xenophobic violence.
