There is a Yoruba proverb which says “when a visitor is being served the head or bottom of a yam by his host, it means it’s time to go“.

To those who may not understand the logic behind the proverb. The logic is that the top or bottom part of a yam is naturally bitter, as a result, it is not fit for consumption, that’s why it’s the part that enters the dustbin first before the yam peel. In a condition when such is now cooked by a host for his visitor it means the visitor is no longer wanted.

That situation is being introduced to over three hundred thousand Nigerians in South Africa. At a time we are still held spellbound by the unwanted murder of over one hundred Nigerians in that country by its citizens and police officers, on Wednesday, October 18, 2017, South African police officers staged a protest, accusing Nigerians residing in the country of intimidation and false accusation.

The protest which is yet to get any diplomatic response from Nigeria’s Ambassador to South Africa and the South African government is a red light that Nigerians in South Africa must be wary of. Available data shows that more than five million Migrants are residing in South Africa, these migrants spread across all continents of the world but the focus on Nigerians is unbecoming and should cause palpable fear to any close watcher of events in the South Africa.

The South African police are the only constitutional empowered agency of government to protect Nigerians and other citizens in the country. The moment they start protesting against us, it has placed the life of Nigerians on a thin rope.

The South African police have accused Nigerians of intimidation and false accusation. In a situation where the Police are laying accusations against Nigerians, who will Nigerians report to when they suffer attack from South Africans?

The South African police by their protest has sent a strong message of “we are behind you” to killers of Nigerians in the country.

Earlier, South Africans accused Nigerians of taking every job in their country, South African police are now protesting intimidation by Nigerians. The environment is sure not conducive for Nigerians.

More than 48 hours after the protest, the federal government of Nigeria has said nothing about it which has sent a chilling message about our foreign policy and the values we place on the lives of Nigerians in the diaspora.

Nigerians in South Africa should stay woke!

Editor