Nigeria Police Warn Against Reprisals After South Africa Xenophobia

The Nigeria Police Force warned citizens against conducting reprisal attacks on South African nationals, businesses, and diplomatic facilities following reports of xenophobic violence in South Africa. The attacks reportedly resulted in the deaths of at least two Nigerians, prompting the Nigerian government to increase surveillance and deploy personnel around critical national assets and foreign missions to prevent domestic civil unrest.

These security measures follow a May 18, 2026, Joint Intelligence Board meeting chaired by National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu to assess the security implications of the violence. The police have urged the public to avoid sharing inflammatory misinformation on social media while emphasizing that any conduct threatening public peace or national security is unlawful.

The Government of Nigeria is currently utilizing diplomatic and intelligence channels to resolve the situation and protect its citizens abroad. Additionally, government official Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu stated that the administration is prepared to repatriate any Nigerians wishing to return home from South Africa.