The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has appealed to Nigerians to remain calm and avoid taking the law into their hands following reports of renewed xenophobic attacks targeting Nigerians in South Africa.
The police also expressed concern over growing tensions and the possibility of retaliatory actions against South African citizens and businesses operating in Nigeria.
In a statement, the Force disclosed that the situation was reviewed by security and intelligence agencies during a meeting of the Joint Intelligence Board chaired by the National Security Adviser. The meeting assessed the potential security implications of the reported attacks and deliberated on appropriate measures to prevent any escalation of tensions.
The NPF assured the public that relevant security agencies are closely monitoring developments and are working in collaboration with other stakeholders to maintain peace and public order across the country.
While condemning all forms of violence and discrimination, the police urged Nigerians to remain law-abiding and refrain from actions that could threaten national security or diplomatic relations between Nigeria and South Africa.
The Force reiterated its commitment to protecting all residents and businesses within Nigeria, regardless of nationality, and called on citizens to report any suspicious activities to security agencies.
Authorities also emphasized the importance of allowing diplomatic channels and government institutions to address concerns arising from the reported incidents in South Africa.
