President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan has said the Nigerian government would no longer tolerate the killings of its innocent citizens in South Africa or any other country.
Senator Lawan who noted that South Africa enjoys a warm relationship with Nigeria said such a gesture should be better reciprocated by the South African authorities.
Minority Leader of the Senate, Eyinnaya Abaribe had moved the motion at plenary, asking the Senate to intervene in the circumstances surrounding the death of Elizabeth Ndubuisi Chukwu.
Condemning the murder of Elizabeth, the senators called for further investigation and demand an end to the killing of Nigerians in South Africa.
Senator Ahmed Kaita, (Katsina North), described the murder of Elizabeth Chukwu as one “killing too many especially in a supposedly friendly country like South Africa that has enjoyed so much from Nigeria.” He said the killing would not stop as long as the Nigerian Government treats the killings of Nigerians with kid gloves.
Emmanuel Bwacha, (Taraba South) in his contribution, urged the Senate to consider getting the South African Ambassador to explain those killings.
Senator Francis Fadanhusi, (Osun East) demanded that Nigeria should severe diplomatic relationship with South Africa over the unwarranted and incessant killings of its citizens in that country.
The President of the Senate decried the hostility towards Nigerians doing legitimate businesses in South Africa in spite of the fact that nationals from the latter country have good narratives to tell about their stay and investments in Nigeria.
He said: “Nigeria as a country is tired of the killings and therefore, we believe that the relationship between South Africa and Nigeria must be better. There must be respect for each other.
“I agree completely with our colleagues who said that South African doing businesses in Nigeria flourish more than any other businesses in this country and South Africans are so very well protected in Nigeria.
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“There is no need for any South African to take the life of Nigeria or indeed any other citizens. Nigeria was a front line country or considered to be one even though we are far away on the coast of Africa. Therefore we deserve that respect. The relationship between our two countries must be based on mutual respect and understanding.”
The President of the Senate further said the Nigerian delegation to the Pan African Parliament in South Africa later this year would raise the maltreatment of Nigerian citizens in South Africa for deliberation.
“l believe that our next set of contingents who will represent us in the parliament which is based in South Africa will ensure that these issues are brought to the fore. We are a responsible country. That is why we will not take the law into our hands in the way of retaliation but we shouldn’t be taken for granted.
“Nigeria provides leadership for Africa but in this leadership position, we should be able to tell every African country the truth.
“We have taken this killing, for too long and I think the time has come for us as Parliament to tell the South African Parliament where the South Africans are represented that we have taken enough of and we shall not take it anymore.”
He urged the Senate to support the Executive in the diplomatic moves so far taken to get answers to the questions surrounding the death of late Mrs. Ndubuisi Chukwu.
“I believe that as a country, executive arm has also protested but we should support the Executive arm of government so that we will be able to stop these mindless senseless killings of our citizens in those countries.”
The Senate in its resolution commended the federal government of Nigeria for taking prompt action in seeking the South African government explanation on the death of Ndubuisi Chukwu.
The Senate urged the Federal Government not to relent in its efforts to unravel the circumstances of her unfortunate demise. It equally urged the South African government to carry out an investigation into the death of late Mrs. Ndubuisi Chukwu and other Nigerian citizens in such circumstances in South Africa.
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