The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria, (TUC) has called for the immediate evacuation of all Nigerians in South Africa, saying that the dehumanisation and killings of Nigerians in that country in no longer acceptable and must stop.
The congress said in its reaction to the killings and attacks on Nigerians in South Africa that the evacuation of Nigerians must commence immediately; insisting that it is the government’s responsibility to protect its nationals both internal and external.
“For the same people to turn around to dehumanise and kill Nigerians is unacceptable. Not anymore. This must stop! This sacrifice is becoming too grave to bear. Evacuation of Nigerians must commence immediately. We must sound it again that it is the government’s responsibility to protect its nationals both internal and external.” TUC said in a statement signed by its President, Comrade Quadri Olaleye and the Secretary-General, Comrade Musa-Lawal Ozigi, on Wednesday.
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It also called for a stringent measure to be taken immediately against South Africa, saying that it believes strongly that the South African Government was guilty of the dastardly act by association.
The congress condemned the unending xenophobic attacks on Nigerians and other African nationals living and doing business in South Africa; and said that Nigeria and other African countries should adopt stringent diplomatic measures against South Africa.
The congress stated that the nonchalant attitude displayed by the leadership and people of South Africa suggests that they have obviously forgotten the sacrifice Nigeria and other African countries made to achieve their freedom from apartheid.
The congress said that the videos and pictures detailing graphic and gory treatments meted out to non- indigenes are disturbing enough for any country to take a serious position against South Africa and all that they represent.
The congress said: “Nigerian government must adopt stringent diplomatic measures and also urge other African countries to follow suit. For us, the Congress believes strongly that the South African government is guilty of the dastardly act by association.
“The question is, what do they hope to achieve? How can killings go on for years without the government bringing culprits to book? This is very unfortunate.
“Nigeria is a country that accommodates all and sundry. South African companies own several multi-billion dollar investments on our soils yet, we co-exist despite all the aggression against our own people in their home country. To make issues worse these same companies are involved in anti-labour practices.
“We must not shirk our responsibility to our citizens where ever they are. South Africans must know that no man or country has a monopoly of violence. In as much as we wouldn’t want to repay evil with evil we should not also be pushed to the wall.”
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