[Xenophobic] (FG) declared that a red line has been drawn between Nigeria and South Africa over the xenophobic attacks.

The Federal Government (FG) on Wednesday declared that a red line has been drawn between Nigeria and South Africa over the xenophobic attacks.

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, made this comment on Wednesday while addressing State House correspondents after a closed door meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Onyeama regretted that reports circulating on social media had distorted the situation and impacted on the federal government’s response on the incident.

“So, number one is that the information we have from the High Commission, from the Consul General in South Africa is that no Nigerian life has been lost during this crisis,” he said.

“And I think that is very important because on social media, there is a lot of stories going around of Nigerians being killed, jumping off buildings and being burnt. This is not the case.

“What we know is that premises, shops of Nigerians have been looted and property destroyed,’’ 

he said. Onyeama assured all Nigerians that the Buhari government was determined to protect its citizens home and abroad.

“That red line has been drawn and that we will not cave in on this occasion,” he added.

“The South African government has to assume its responsibilities and protect Nigerians in South Africa and we have to hold them to account and they have to do that as well as pay full compensation”.

The minister confirmed that the Ambassador of Nigeria to South Africa would soon be recalled for consultation, adding 

“Enough is enough – we are going to address it once and for all this time. This is the position of government.’’