FG Discusses Security Of Nigerians In S/Africa With Ramaphosa

Geoffrey Onyeama, Nigeria’s minister of foreign affairs

As South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, visits Nigeria on Wednesday, on important issue Geoffrey Onyeama, the Minister of Foreign Affairs would be discussing with him is the security of Nigerians living in South Africa.

The Minister disclosed to newsmen on Tuesday in Abuja that President Ramaphosa would arrive in Abuja for a working visit to Nigeria.

According to him, Nigeria and South Africa are serious about the implementation of early warning mechanism established to address the security issue in South Africa,as the Federal Government was very interested in the security and safety of Nigerians in South Africa.

“On the issue of the early warning system, we hope to have the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed soon. South African President is going to be here tomorrow,” he said.

Onyeama said that he had met with South African Minister of Foreign Affairs and discussed extensively about the security of Nigerians in South Africa and what to be done to strengthening the security.

“I am discussing with South African Foreign Affairs Minister to put in place the mechanism that will go a long way in addressing the security of Nigerians in South Africa.

“The Minister was very supportive and believed that Nigeria should not be targeted.

“She is ready to do everything possible, including having Nigeria being part of some of security apparatus being put in place to monitor and provide security in the country.”

Onyeama added that the Federal government was ready to work with the parties involved including the South African government, Nigerian community and also the Nigerian representatives in the country to ensure security for every Nigerian in South Africa.

The Nigeria mission in South Africa had on Sunday confirmed the killing of another Nigerian, Mr Ozumba Tochukwu-Lawrence by gunman in South Africa

The Consul-General of Nigeria in South Africa made this known by the Vice- Consul (Information and Culture), David Abraham.

“An eye witness account has it that an unknown man made a way into the compound of Mr Ozumba Tochukwu-Lawrence and requested to see him on July 6.

“On being told about his guest, he came out to meet him and the man opened fire on him and shot him six times, resulting in his death before he could reach the hospital.

“The reason behind the sad incident is yet to be established, but this is very unfortunate and condemnable,” Abraham said.

Mrs Abike Dabiri-Erewa, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Foreign Affairs and Diaspora, had also expressed  concern over the killing of Nigerians in South Africa.

Dabiri-Erewa stated that no fewer than 117 Nigerians were extra-judicially killed in South Africa between 2013 and 2018 for one flimsy reason or the other