Vice President Kashim Shettima has warned that Nigeria will no longer tolerate the dehumanisation or mistreatment of its citizens in South Africa, as he condemned xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks targeting Nigerians and other African nationals.

Shettima stated this on Monday in Luanda, Angola, shortly before departing the country for Nigeria after representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the 21st Extraordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union (AU).

The Vice President said Nigeria remained committed to resolving concerns surrounding the treatment of its citizens in South Africa through dialogue and diplomatic engagement, but stressed that the government would not remain silent when the safety and dignity of Nigerians were threatened.

“Those whose palm kernels were cracked by benevolent spirits should learn to be humble. We were part of the struggle for the liberation of our brothers and sisters in Southern Africa, and we feel personally pained that our people have been picked up for humiliation,” Shettima said.

He warned that the Nigerian government and people would no longer accept situations in which Nigerians were subjected to degrading or unacceptable treatment.

“The government and people of Nigeria will no longer countenance a situation whereby our people are dehumanised and put into very, very unacceptable situations,” he said.

According to him, Nigeria would continue to engage its South African counterparts in robust discussions aimed at addressing the concerns, while avoiding actions capable of escalating tensions between both countries.

“But we believe in having very robust conversations with our South African brothers. We don’t want to overheat the polity, but once in a while, you have to make it very clear, vehemently clear, that certain situations are unacceptable, and we’ll work things out,” the Vice President added.

Shettima also called on the South African authorities to ensure that the enforcement of immigration laws did not undermine human dignity or put the lives of Nigerians and other African nationals at risk.

He reiterated Nigeria’s opposition to xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks, stressing the need for the protection of Nigerians living and doing business in South Africa.

The Vice President subsequently departed Luanda for Nigeria after concluding his engagements at the African Union extraordinary session.