Xenophobia: President Tinubu declines meeting with South African envoy in Abuja

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declined to receive a special envoy dispatched by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa.

The refusal comes amid growing concerns over recent xenophobic attacks against Nigerians and other African nations in South Africa.

Daily Sun reports that a South African delegation, led by the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola, arrived in Abuja on Friday, July 24, with what was described as a “very important message” for the Nigerian leader.

The development comes less than 24 hours after the reported k!lling of a Nigerian national, Chika Ibe, who was allegedly picked up from his residence at Parksig Villas Complex in Bellville, Cape Town, and allegedly tortured to de@th by personnel of the South African Police Service (SAPS).

Nigeria has maintained a firm stance against xenophobic attacks in South Africa.

At the 69th Ordinary Session of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS, which took place recently in Lungi, Sierra Leone, Vice President Kashim Shettima, who represented President Tinubu, condemned the attacks and pledged that Nigeria would push for stronger measures against xenophobia at the African Union.