President MUHAMMADU BUHARI has directed the Minister of Foreign Affairs, GEOFFREY ONYEAMA, to further engage the South African authorities on the appropriate measuresto be taken, to end the xenophobic attacks on Nigerians in South Africa.

 

He has also given approval for the immediate voluntary evacuation of all Nigerians, who are willing to return to Nigeria.

 

The President gave the directive upon receiving the report of the special envoy he sent to President CYRIL RAMAPHOSA last week, to register Nigeria’s concerns over the attacks.

 

In a statement issued by his Special Adviser (Media and Publicity), FEMI ADESINA, the Presidency said the special envoy, who is the Director-General, National Intelligence Agency, AHMED RUFAI-ABUBAKAR, returned to Nigeria after the assignment and has submitted his report to the president.

 

President BUHARI stressed the need for South African Government to take visible measures to stop violence against citizens of brotherly African nations.

 

According to the statement, President BUHARI is worried that the recurring issue of xenophobia could negatively affect the image and standing of South Africa as one of the leading countries on the continent, if nothing is done to stop it.