The Nigerian Citizens Association South Africa (NICASA) has flayed the invasion of the Nigeria consulate general in Johannesburg by City Power and Johannesburg Metro Police.

Kareem Tunde, NICASA secretary general, disclosed this in a statement against the backdrop of the association’s reaction to the invasion of the consulate by South African authorities.

“We wish to express our stance on the issue involving the consulate general in Johannesburg and the City Power in the place. We condemn the unwarranted actions by City Power and the Police cohort on the property of the Consulate of Nigeria,” the NICASA statement said. “It is clear that City Power was out to embarrass and humiliate Nigeria and Nigerian citizens in the place.”

It insisted that there could not be any plausible excuse to warrant the invasion of the consulate general. 

“The action is very retrogressive, xenophobic and avoidable,” said the association. “We hope the governments of the two countries will take strong action against those responsible over this reprehensible act to avoid reoccurrence. NICASA will like to advise our citizens to remain calm. The matter is being handled diplomatically by the consular general and will be resolved satisfactorily.”

The Nigeria Union Gauteng described the act as disrespectful to the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Missions. The union mentioned that City Power and Johannesburg Metro Police had, on January 18, invaded Nigeria’s diplomatic premises in Johannesburg without due consultations and permission from the consulate general.

The union, in its statement, revealed that a similar situation occurred on December 11, 2011, but consular officials denied the allegedly heavily armed police from Bramley Police Station access.

It also warned that if such reoccurred, the union would have no choice but to mobilise the community for a peaceful protest. 

(NAN)