Xenophobic Attacks: Reps Member, Yusuf Baba Yacub Calls for Synergy, Global Condemnation

By Jide Afolabi, Jos

The Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs, Hon Yusuf Buba Yakub has called on the government for synergy and global condemnation of xenophobic attacks on foreign nationals especially, Nigerians in the Republic of South Africa.

Yacub made the call in a press release personally signed by him on Wednesday saying that such growing attacks on Nigerians had reached an unacceptable level.

The honourable representing Gombi/Hong Federal Constituency of Adamawa state urged Nigerians to have confidence in the steps being taken by the government stating that his committee is monitoring the situation in South Africa.

He said that the Honourable Minister for Foreign Affairs, Hon Geoffrey Onyeama would be briefing his Committee within the next few hours.

The statement reads in part:

“As we indicated earlier, the growing xenophobic attacks on innocent and law-abiding Nigerians in some parts of the Republic of South Africa, especially, Japestown area of the commercial city of Jornesburg, which got escalated since August 29, 2019,is not acceptable to us as Members of the Parliament and as a country.

“You all will recall that there were similar attacks and killings during the tenure of former President Jacob Zuma of South Africa. This is why we insist that these barbaric attacks have become one too many in recent years and, therefore, stand condemnable by all men and countries of goodwill. We reiterate our call on other nations of the world to join us and raise their voice against this senseless act of humans against their kind.

“Unverified statistics has put the number of Nigerians killed in the last three years in the Republic of South Africa at an unacceptable figure. It is our position that no Nigerian soul should again be lost in that country in the manner that we have witnessed in the last three years. There is no form of jungle justice for any crime or perceived wrong that is currently acceptable any where in the entire globe. Much as we once in a while have cases of a few Nigerians who are found on the wrong side of the law,it can never be taken as an excuse to begin a sudden onslaught against other law-abiding ones and their property. Against any one unlawful Nigerian any where in the world, realities have shown that there are thousands of other hard working ones who are genuine in what they are doing and have contributed to the development of the people and the economies of the places in which they have found themselves!

“As we informed you yesterday,we are closely monitoring the situation in the Republic of South Africa and are reaching out to the Nigerian authorities at home and in the Republic of South Africa. We are happy to announce that our dear President has also risen to the demand of duty by dispatching an envoy that is expected to arrive in South Africa by tomorrow, Thursday. The Hon. Minister for Foreign Affairs has also,following the directive of Mr President, summoned the South African Ambassador to Nigeria. As a Committee, we are also in close contact with the Hon. Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama,who is expected to brief us within the next few hours. You must have also heard that President Ramaphosa has strongly condemned the ongoing attacks and has made a number of commitments to achieving peace. We,however, call on him to go beyond that to demonstrate stronger leadership and bring all the perpetrators of the orgies of violence to book.”

Yacub appreciated those who have called on the lawmakers to intervene in the situation saying that his Committee has the full support of the House of Representatives leadership on its actions.

“In the face of current challenges, such calls are understandable and, in fact, are not unusual. But, while not seeking to hold forte for the House and, indeed, the entire National Assembly itself, we wish to inform our dear country men and women that, as a Committee of the House, whatever we have done or are doing with regards to this matter is with the total knowledge and express support of the leadership of the House led by Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila. To say,therefore,that we are in constant contacts with the House leadership is stating the obvious.

He expressed the sympathies of the lawmakers to Nigerians who have lost loved ones or investments to the unfortunate attacks.

“Finally, permit me to use this occasion to ,again, express the sympathies of our Committee and,indeed,those of the Members of the entire House of Representatives to all Nigerians who have lost loved ones or property in what is happening in South Africa and what happened in some parts of Lagos yesterday. While these times may be too challenging to just stare and let go without saying or doing anything in the face of cruelty against our own,I challenge us to,more than ever before, demonstrate forgiveness and show to our traducers that kind of love borne from the knowledge that we remain great NIGERIANS.” He said.