Senate vows to end killing of Nigerians in S’Africa, as Onyeama explains reason for menace

The Nigerian Senate on Monday vowed to write the South African Government in efforts to ensure the killing of Nigerians in that country is brought to an end.

Senate President Ahmed Lawan stated this during the screening of the immediate past Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, as a ministerial nominee.

Onyeama, one of the ministers that was fortunate to be renominated by President Muhammadu Buhari to serve again in his second term cabinet, told the Senate that criminal elements in the Nigerian community in South Africa had been a setback in government efforts to end the killings.

“I personally met with the South African High Commissioner to Nigeria. If we don’t get things in place, more Nigerians may be killed abroad. Even if Nigerians commit crimes, killing them should not be the first option. This has got to stop.

“I have written to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. I have asked them to furnish us with names of Nigerians killed in South Africa so far. We are going to write to the South African Government and we will put an end to these killings.”

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Onyeama, who’s responsibility it was to end the menace said, “Because of the situation in South Africa, I went there myself and met with officials. I also met with Nigerians there. There was a trust deficit between the South African police and Nigerians. We met with some Government officials there to have regular meetings with Nigerian unions and High Commission.

“The South African Government is not complicit in the killing of Nigerians. Whoever takes over as Foreign Affairs Minister will have to put in a line, a contact line to always be in contact with the South African Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Senate Chief Whip, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu had also during the screening lamented the maltreatment of Nigerians by officials of the American Embassy.

The senator, who represents Abia North, said that something has be done to make sure Nigerians get fair treatment without any harassment.

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