The consulate general of Nigeria in Johannesburg has issued a public notice warning Nigerian residents in South Africa against engaging demonstrators in the xenophobic protests scheduled for Monday (today).

The consul general, Ninikanwa Okey-Uche, in a statement on Sunday, said the consulate received information that anti-foreigner groups had distributed invitations to South Africans to join in a nationwide shutdown across all nine provinces to force the government to take action against foreigners in the former apartheid country.

Mr Okey-Uche stated the organisers alleged that foreigners benefit more from South Africa than citizens and are demanding that all foreigners, whether documented or undocumented, leave the country immediately.

“In light of the foregoing, all Nigerian nationals are strongly advised to avoid engaging any demonstrators or confronting them. Rather, all are advised to monitor local media as well as adopt necessary safety precautions,” the statement said.

The consulate also urged business owners to close their shops during the march, warning that the protests might be violent.

While imploring our citizens to remain calm and law-abiding, the consulate reiterated its commitment to providing all its services to Nigerians and to ensuring their safety in the country.

The latest advisory came amid growing xenophobic tensions in South Africa, where at least two Nigerian citizens were killed.

Meanwhile, the federal government summoned Bobby Moroe, the acting high commissioner of South Africa to Nigeria, for a meeting on Monday (today) over the anti-foreigner violence against Nigerians in the country.