Senate orders crackdown on bandits flaunting crime cash on TikTok

Abuja, FCT – By Prime Brief Media

The Federal Government has summoned South Africa’s Acting High Commissioner to Nigeria, Thami Mseleku, to a meeting at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs today, 4 May 2026, to formally register its concerns over a recent wave of protests in South Africa that have reportedly targeted foreign nationals, including Nigerians.

The ministry’s spokesperson, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, confirmed the summon in a brief statement on Sunday, saying the Federal Government was “deeply concerned by disturbing reports of attacks on Nigerians and other African nationals in parts of South Africa over the last few days.” Ebienfa said the meeting would convey Nigeria’s expectation that South African authorities take all necessary measures to protect life and property and prevent a recurrence of the xenophobic violence that has marred relations between the two countries in the past.

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is closely monitoring the situation. The summon is part of Nigeria’s standard diplomatic response when the safety of our nationals abroad is threatened. We expect the South African government to act decisively,” Ebienfa said.

Reports from Johannesburg and Durban indicate that anti-immigrant protests, triggered by local grievances over jobs and public services, turned violent in several townships late last week. While South African police have made arrests and described the situation as “under control,” videos circulating on social media show looted shops and injured persons, with some victims identified as Nigerians by community leaders. The Nigerian Union in South Africa has called for calm but urged the federal government to take a more robust diplomatic stance.

The summon comes ahead of the biannual Nigeria-South Africa Bi-National Commission expected later this year. Diplomatic sources, who asked not to be named because they are not authorised to speak on the matter, told Prime Brief Media that Nigeria may push for firmer commitments on the protection of its nationals as a condition for deeper cooperation.

Prime Brief Media will continue to track security and rescue efforts across the state as this story develops.

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