Shettima says Nigeria will no longer tolerate mistreatment of its citizens

Nigeria’s Vice President Kashim Shettima said the government would no longer accept Nigerians being dehumanised or placed in “very, very unacceptable situations” abroad.

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The government and people of Nigeria will no longer countenance a situation whereby our people are dehumanised and put into very, very unacceptable situations.

Speaking in Luanda before leaving Angola for Abuja, Shettima renewed Nigeria’s opposition to xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks against Nigerians and other African nationals in South Africa. He said Nigeria wanted “very robust conversations” with South Africa and did not want to inflame tensions, but would make clear when treatment of its citizens crossed an unacceptable line.

Shettima said Nigeria remained committed to resolving its concerns through dialogue and peaceful engagement. He also called on South African authorities to protect lives and uphold human dignity when enforcing immigration policies.

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But we believe in having very robust conversations with our South African brothers. We don’t want to overheat the polity, but once in a while, you have to make it very clear, vehemently clear, that certain situations are unacceptable, and we’ll work things out.

He said Nigerians felt particular pain because Nigeria had supported the liberation struggle in Southern Africa. “Those whose palm kernels were cracked by benevolent spirits should learn to be humble,” he said, before recalling Nigeria’s role in supporting its regional neighbours. Shettima had represented President Bola Tinubu at an extraordinary African Union summit in Luanda before returning to Nigeria.

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Those whose palm kernels were cracked by benevolent spirits should learn to be humble.