The Trade Union Congress, TUC, has called on the Federal Government to immediately recall the Nigerian High Commissioner to South Africa over the killing of Nigerians and other Africans by some South Africans.
He also urged the African Union and the United Nations to caution South Africans “and to let them know that no individual or country has a monopoly of violence”.
TUC President, Bala Kaigama, who made the call in a statement on Monday, also urged the Federal Government to take urgent steps to evacuate Nigerians from that country.
Kaigama said the call was necessitated by the need to stop the situation in South Africa from snowballing into a major crisis.
He noted that there seemed to be connivance between the government and security agencies in South Africa to perpetrate the killing of innocent Nigerians and Africans in order to take over their properties.
Kaigama stated that the killing of Nigerians must be stopped forthwith as the country would not accept the murder and maiming of its citizens as a sacrifice for a cordial relationship with South Africa.
He said South Africa had over 100 companies such as MTN, Shoprite and DSTV in the country, which had all been involved in anti-labour practices but had yet to be shut down.
Kaigama added, “From all indications, it appears there is a grand conspiracy by the government cum state security apparatus to continue to mindlessly waste lives and take over properties of innocent and harmless fellow Africans.
“We are calling on the Federal Government to put modalities in place to evacuate Nigerians in South Africa and recall the High Commissioner immediately to save the situation as further killing may lead to a major crisis.
“They own several multi-billion dollar investments on our soils; yet, we co-exist despite all odds. This killing and duhumanisation of Nigerians must stop. Not anymore; this must stop!
“If killing and maiming of Nigerians is the sacrifice required for us to maintain a cordial relationship, we are not willing to take it anymore.
“How do we refer to this anti-Nigeria, nay Africa attitude? One wonders what these South Africans are turning into. Is it a case of ingratitude or lack of historical documentation by their leaders, of the unmatched leadership role Nigeria played in the 80s towards the dismantling of apartheid?
“It is on record that thousands of South African children were brought to Nigeria and distributed across all the unity schools in Nigeria and were fed and housed free courtesy of Nigerian government and Nigerians.
“They were welcomed with open arms! How have their youths missed this history that Nigerians have become objects for destruction in modern day South Africa?”
Meanwhile, Senior Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on Foreign Affairs and Diaspora, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, had earlier lambasted South Africa, Home Affairs Minister, Malusi Gigaba, over his comments on renewed attack on Nigerian nationals in that country.
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