The Director of Media, Public Relations and Protocol of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Abdulrahman Balogun, has declared that over 100 Nigerians have been killed in all kinds of attacks in South Africa since the agency came on board in 2019.
He stressed that Nigeria will continue to employ diplomatic methods to stop the incessant killings.
Balogun described the situation as “quite appalling” and “very unfortunate,” noting that the attacks have persisted intermittently since the post-Apartheid era.
Speaking on ‘Frontline’, a current affairs programme on Eagle 102.5 FM, Ilese-Ijebu on Thursday, Balogun maintained that diplomacy remains Nigeria’s preferred route in addressing the crisis, insisting there is no alternative pathway that guarantees sustainable resolution despite renewed violence and reports of killings.
“From 1994, we have been having this attack up and down. And governments from that time have been trying to find a lasting solution to this problem.
”Efforts included missions led by then Vice President Prof. Yemi Osinbajo and other federal delegations, as well as diplomatic engagements involving the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and South African authorities.
Balogun recalled that an early warning mechanism Memorandum of Understanding was reportedly reached between both countries, but that implementation has remained weak. To him, even presidential engagements, including visits and apologies by the South African leadership, have not translated into sustained protection for Nigerians.
“Since we came on board in 2019, we must have recorded over 100 Nigerians killed in all kinds of attacks in South Africa. Though the most recent incident involved fewer confirmed deaths, the broader pattern remains deeply troubling”, he said.
While addressing suggestions of reciprocal sanctions, including proposals by political actors such as Senator Adams Oshiomhole, Balogun, who acknowledged the emotional appeal of such measures, warned against economic retaliation that could harm Nigeria’s own interests, citing multinational corporations operating across both countries.
“So if you shut it down, Nigeria will be more affected, and we will hurt ourselves economically, even here in Nigeria”, he stressed.
Speaking on accountability and justice for the slain Nigerians, the NIDCOM spokesperson expressed concern over what he described as a lack of political will in South Africa to prosecute perpetrators of attacks against Nigerians and other African migrants.
“I am not aware of any of those single cases in which the perpetrators have been killed, punished or reprimanded for that unfortunate behaviour.
“Nigeria’s diplomatic engagements continue at multiple levels, including recent meetings between Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and the South African High Commission in Abuja. Our key demands include: investigation, prosecution of offenders, protection of Nigerian citizens, and full implementation of existing bilateral agreements.”
On evacuation efforts, he confirmed that about 130 Nigerians have registered for voluntary return following renewed unrest, noting that most affected citizens are informal sector workers such as traders, artisans, and service providers.
He explained that past evacuations from crisis zones such as Sudan, Libya, Ukraine, and Lebanon followed similar frameworks, relying on voluntary registration and inter-agency coordination, often supported by private sector partners and humanitarian organisations.
Despite criticism that diplomacy has failed to end recurring violence, Balogun maintained that engagement remains ongoing and multi-layered, spanning executive, parliamentary, and diplomatic channels.
