Xenophobia: Buhari sends special envoy to South Africa

Muhammadu Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari has sent a special envoy to President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa over the xenophobic attacks on Nigerians.

Buhari, in a statement on Tuesday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, said he was deeply concerned about the attacks on Nigerians and their property in South Africa.

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The statement said the envoy, whose name was not mentioned, would arrive in Pretoria on Thursday.

The Presidency also said that Buhari had “instructed the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, to summon the South African High Commissioner to Nigeria and get a brief on the situation; express Nigeria’s displeasure over the treatment of her citizens; and assurance of the safety of their lives and property.”

The recent attacks began last week after a taxi driver was murdered by an alleged drug dealer in Pretoria.

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Speculations that the alleged killer was a Nigerian sparked protest, looting and burning of business centres owned by foreigners.

Three Nigerians were said to have been killed in the process with scores injured.