Xenophobia: S’African policemen vow to protect foreigners

The Nigeria Union in South Africa on Wednesday said the country’s police has pledged to protect Nigerians and other foreign nationals from xenophobic attacks.

The pledge followed the recent xenophobic attacks against foreigners in Steinkopf, Northern Cape Province of the country.

Ikechukwu Anyene, president of the union, told NAN in Pretoria, South Africa, that the provincial police commander in the area gave the assurance.

Anyene quoted the commander as saying that policemen had been deployed from neighbouring towns to reinforce those in the affected area while the situation had been brought under control.

He said that Nigerians in the affected area have confirmed that policemen had been deployed to Steinkopf.

“Nigerians in the affected area, however, are still apprehensive that more xenophobic attacks could take place because of credible information at their disposal,” Anyene said.

He said those affected in the recent attacks were still displaced and taking refuge in the neighbouring town of Springbok.

Anyene said the union was in touch with the Nigerian mission in South Africa on developments in the affected town.

He also said that the union was monitoring the situation and had advised Nigerians to take precautionary measures to ensure their safety.

Six Nigerians were affected in fresh xenophobic unrest in the country.