The mindless killings of Nigerians in South Africa has remained unabated and the brewing signs are not helping either, the South African police are now sending a cryptic message to Nigerians by virtue of their October 18, 2017, protest against Nigerians living in the country.
Can we please ask ourselves a very truthful and sincere question: what are Nigerians doing in South Africa?
This question might appear rhetorical but it deserves an answer. As at 2015, the number of Nigerians living In South Africa is in excess of three hundred thousand, as at 2015, the number of Nigerians in South African prisons spending several jail terms is in excess of five hundred which means these individuals have engaged in criminal activities to warrant them being locked up in South Africa Prisons.
South African’s have complained about Nigerians taking over their job, an accusation that has been rebuffed by the SA to the President on foreign affairs, Honourable Abike Dabiri who maintained that Nigerians in South Africa are not taking over any job, as what they own are menial business like kiosks, and other small-scale business which South Africans don’t do.
These percentage of businessmen Abike Dabiri is referring to, cannot be compared to the ones being arrested for drugs and other illicit crimes, which has always made it difficult to stand in the gap for Nigerians in that country.
South Africa has more than five million immigrants but Nigerians have always been the usual victims of the killings in the country. These among others has made us ask the question.
The natural advice to those doing something productive is that they should continue while those with no means of livelihood but chose to engage in crimes, robbery and other illicit acts should leave the country.
We can continue to blame South Africans but the fact still remains the number of Nigerians languishing in South African prisons doesn’t speak well for Nigeria.
The constant search for a golden fleece that makes some unscrupulous Nigerians go to such country to engage in crimes has effect on other well meaning Nigerians in the country. We need to realise that sacred truth that we are not the only immigrants in the country, therefore we should learn to stay out of trouble.
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