Nigeria Will No Longer Tolerate Mistreatment Of Its Citizens Abroad, Vice President Says

Vice-President Kashim Shettima has warned that Nigeria will no longer tolerate the dehumanisation or mistreatment of its citizens by any government, wherever they may be in the world.

Shettima gave the warning while speaking to journalists in Luanda, Angola, on Monday, August 31, after representing President Bola Tinubu at the 21st Extraordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union.

The Vice-President was responding particularly to concerns over recurring xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks against Nigerians and other African nationals in South Africa, saying Nigeria remained deeply concerned about the treatment of its citizens there.

“Those whose palm kernels were cracked by benevolent spirits should learn to be humble,” Shettima said, recalling Nigeria’s role in supporting the liberation struggles in Southern Africa.

He said Nigeria was pained by reports of Nigerians being subjected to humiliation and unacceptable treatment.

“The government and people of Nigeria will no longer countenance a situation whereby our people are dehumanised and put into very, very unacceptable situations,” he said.

Shettima, however, stressed that Nigeria preferred to address its concerns through dialogue with South Africa rather than confrontation.

“But we believe in having very robust conversations with our South African brothers. We don’t want to overheat the polity, but once in a while you have to make it very clear, vehemently clear, that certain situations are unacceptable, and we’ll work things out,” he said.

He also urged South African authorities to ensure that immigration laws were enforced while protecting the lives, rights and dignity of Nigerians and other African nationals.