By Ezrel Tabiowo
Abuja
The Senate has called on the federal government to recall the Nigerian High Commissioner to South Africa, following condemnations against xenophobic attacks on Nigerians living in that country.
The upper chamber also urged the federal government to file an international suit at the International Criminal Court against the Zulu King, Goodwill Zwelithini, for inciting xenophobic violence against Africans living in South Africa.
In a resolution reached during plenary yesterday, the lawmakers resolved that the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Aminu Wali, should appear before it to brief the Senate Committee on International Affairs, on the situation and measures being taken to safeguard the lives and properties of Nigerians in South Africa.
The Senators, while contributing to a motion moved by the Senate Leader, Sen. Victor Ndoma-Egba, further urged the federal government to pressurise the government of South Africa to bring the perpetrators of the evil act to justice.
Report stated that South Africa has closed its consulate in Lagos in an announcement by the South African Consul-General in Nigeria, Sam Monaisa.
The Consul General also reportedly accused Nigerians of using social media to blow an already tense situation out of proportion and warned members of the forum to be mindful of their movement as South African businesses and citizens usually became targets of threats and acts of retaliation whenever xenophobic attacks occurred in the country.