The Federal Government on Thursday said no Nigerian died during the renewed xenophobic attacks in South Africa.
This comment came following reports that fresh xenophobic attacks on Nigerians in that country resulted in the killing of many Nigerians and destruction f Nigerian buildings, property and places of worship worth millions of dollars.
Following the development, the FG disclosed that talks were ongoing with South Africa on how to protect Nigerian citizens.
However, the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Khadija Abba-Ibrahim, says no Nigerian lost their lives in the attacks.
Abba-Ibrahim stated this after a meeting with the High Commissioner of South Africa to Nigeria, Lulu Aaron-Mnguni, yesterday on the issue in Abuja.
In a chat with newsmen, the Minister said the reports that mentioned the killing of Nigerians in the xenophobic attacks are unsubstantiated.
Abba-Ibrahim said, “The ministry has not received the report of any death of Nigerian in the latest incidents of attacks against foreigners.
“The Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria is in constant touch with the Nigerian Union in South Africa, the Department of International Relations and Cooperation, DIRCO of South Africa, as well as the South African police.
“All these agencies have confirmed that no Nigerian life was lost in the recent incident.
“The government is in touch with South African authorities to ensure the safety of Nigerians there,” the Minister added, appealing to the media not to fuel the crisis further with unconfirmed reports.
In his response, the South Africa High Commissioner to Nigeria said his government was on top of the situation.
Aaron-Mnguni said, “The Minister of Foreign Affairs of South Africa will hold a briefing with the diplomatic community on Friday to fashion out more ways to solve the problem.”
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