Vice-President Kashim Shettima has warned that Nigeria will no longer tolerate the dehumanisation or mistreatment of its citizens in any part of the world.

Shettima issued the warning on Monday, August 31, while speaking with journalists in Luanda, Angola, amid renewed concerns over xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks targeting Nigerians and other African nationals in South Africa.

The Vice-President reaffirmed Nigeria’s strong opposition to the attacks, stressing that the Federal Government would continue to defend the dignity and rights of Nigerians abroad.

According to him, Nigeria played a significant role in the struggle for the liberation of Southern African countries and was therefore deeply concerned by reports of Nigerians being subjected to humiliation.

“Those whose palm kernels were cracked by benevolent spirits should learn to be humble. We were part of the struggle for the liberation of our brothers and sisters in Southern Africa, and we feel personally pained that our people have been picked up for humiliation.

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

“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.”

Shettima also urged South African authorities to ensure that immigration laws are enforced with respect for human dignity and the protection of lives.

He stressed that while Nigeria remained committed to diplomatic engagement with South Africa, the government would not remain silent when the rights and dignity of Nigerian citizens were violated.

The Federal Government had earlier reported South Africa to the African Union over alleged xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks against Nigerians and other African nationals in the country.