The Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria, South Africa, has alerted Nigerians living in South Africa about a planned attack on foreign nationals.

In a memo dated August 24, the embassy’s consular section wrote: “This is to advise Nigerians living in South Africa to be vigilant and careful in their activities due to recent statements by proponents of Operation Dudula. and his threats to attack foreign nationals in this country.”

According to the memo, the group (Operation Dudula) through public notices and video clips on social media announced a March Against Foreign Immigrants in South Africa starting on September 2.

The march, according to the embassy, ​​is aimed at foreign business owners, stores, and undocumented foreign nationals.

Violent attacks against Nigerians and other Africans have broken out regularly in South Africa, in part because some South Africans accuse foreigners of dealing drugs or taking their jobs.

In 2019, at least 10 deaths were recorded, including two foreigners, and many businesses were destroyed, prompting Nigeria to withdraw its ambassador while President Muhammadu Buhari sent a special envoy to South Africa.

The South African government, which largely blamed the attacks on criminals, later admitted that some of them were motivated by xenophobia.

The attacks prompted Nigeria to boycott the World Economic Forum in South Africa, which Vice President Yemi Osinbajo was to attend.

The South African High Commission in Nigeria was reached for comment but had not yet responded at the time of this report.

Chiamaka Okafor is a reporter for Premium Times in collaboration with a report to the world which unites local newsrooms with talented emerging journalists to report on hidden topics around the world.