The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) has urged Nigerians living in South Africa to strictly follow safety advisories issued by the Nigerian Consulate General amid rising anti-foreigner protests across several parts of the country.

The warning follows a circular from the Consulate General of Nigeria in Johannesburg, which reported that demonstrations in cities including East London, Cape Town, Durban, and parts of KwaZulu-Natal had turned violent, leading to looting, property damage, and injuries.

NiDCOM said intelligence from the consulate indicates that further protests are expected in Gauteng Province between April 27 and 29, 2026, with tensions linked to demands over the presence of foreign nationals.

In response, the commission advised Nigerians in South Africa to avoid confrontation with protesters, stay away from demonstration areas, and closely monitor local media for real-time safety updates.

It also urged Nigerian citizens to remain law-abiding and avoid any engagement that could escalate tensions during the unrest.

Nigerian business owners were further advised to temporarily close their shops on Freedom Day, April 27, and consider extending the closure through April 28 and 29, as foreign-owned businesses are often targeted during such incidents.

NiDCOM reaffirmed that the Nigerian Consulate in Johannesburg remains fully operational and is working with South African authorities to ensure the safety of Nigerians in the country.

It also noted that the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs is engaging diplomatic counterparts in South Africa over the situation.

The alert comes amid renewed reports of xenophobic violence, with circulating videos showing attacks on African immigrants and calls for foreigners to leave the country.

Authorities continue to monitor the situation as tensions remain high in affected communities.