By Modupe Gbadeyanka
A special envoy has been sent to South Africa by President Muhammadu Buhari over the recent fatal attacks on Nigerians living in the former apartheid country.
The team, according to a statement issued on Tuesday by Mr Femi Adesina, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, is to express “deep concern” of Mr Buhari with his South African counterpart, Mr Cyril Ramaphosa.
Mr Adesina said the Nigerian leader was deeply worried with the xenophobic attacks on his citizens and their properties in the country by South Africans, who accused foreigners of dominating their cities and economy.
“President Muhammadu Buhari has noted with deep concern, reported attacks on Nigerian citizens and property in South Africa since August 29, 2019,” Mr Adesina said.
“Consequently, the President has instructed the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, to summon the South African High Commissioner to Nigeria and get a brief on the situation; express Nigeria’s displeasure over the treatment of her citizens; and assurance of the safety of their lives and property,” he added.
“President Buhari has also despatched a Special Envoy to convey to President Cyril Ramaphosa his concerns and also interact with his South African counterpart on the situation.
“The Special Envoy is expected to arrive in Pretoria latest Thursday, September 5, 2019,” he concluded.
Adedapo Adesanya