The senator representing Edo North Senatorial District, Adams Oshiomhole, has called on the Federal Government to retaliate against South African businesses operating in Nigeria, including MTN and DSTV, following renewed xenophobic attacks against Nigerians in South Africa.
Oshiomhole made the call during plenary on Tuesday, as lawmakers expressed concern over reports that Nigerians in South Africa were being attacked and their businesses destroyed.
The former Edo State governor said Nigeria must respond firmly to protect its citizens, arguing that the country should apply the principle of reciprocity in its relations with South Africa.
“I don’t want this Senate to be shedding tears, to sympathise with those who have died. We didn’t come here to share tears,” he said.
“If you hit me, I’ll hit you. I think it is appropriate in diplomacy. It’s an economic struggle.”
Oshiomhole urged the Federal Government to consider revoking the operating licences of South African-owned companies in Nigeria, particularly MTN and DSTV, which he accused of making huge revenues from the Nigerian market.
“This Senate should adopt a position that MTN, a South African company that is cutting away millions of dollars from Nigeria every day, that Nigeria nationalise it and withdraw its licence,” he said.
He also called for similar action against DSTV, alleging that the pay television company benefits significantly from Nigeria while Nigerians continue to face hostility in South Africa.
“I call on the Federal Government to revoke DSTV, which is also a South African company that is cutting away millions of dollars,” he said.
The lawmaker argued that such economic measures would strengthen Nigeria’s bargaining position and send a strong message that attacks on Nigerians abroad would no longer be tolerated.
According to him, Nigerians in South Africa are not a burden on the host country but are there to work and earn a living.
“These Nigerians who are in South Africa, they are not there on holiday. They are there to work and to earn,” Oshiomhole said.
He dismissed the idea that Nigeria should merely condemn the attacks without taking concrete action, insisting that the government must respond in a way that would compel South Africa to take the safety of Nigerians seriously.
“When we hit back, the President of South Africa will not only talk but will also go on his knees to recognise that Nigeria cannot be intimidated.
“We will not condone any life being lost. If a crime has been committed under the South African law, they have the right to bring any such person to justice, but to kill our people as if we are helpless, we will not allow that,” he added.
Oshiomhole also linked the current tensions to broader political developments in South Africa, noting that anti-immigrant sentiments had featured in the country’s domestic politics and were influencing public hostility toward foreign nationals, including Nigerians.
He said if some South Africans accuse Nigerians of taking their jobs, Nigerians should return home and take over opportunities created by South African companies operating in Nigeria.
Also speaking, Senator Victor Umeh, representing Anambra Central, described the situation as alarming, saying many Nigerians in South Africa were now living in fear.
“It is worrisome. They are hiding for their lives, they can’t move freely. This is a situation where people are paying good with evil,” Umeh said, recalling Nigeria’s historical support for South Africa during the anti-apartheid struggle.
Umeh called on the African Union to intervene and impose appropriate sanctions, warning that Nigeria could not continue to tolerate attacks on its citizens.
“The AU, of which South Africa is a member, should rise now and impose necessary sanctions,” he said, adding that “we cannot allow this to continue.”
The House of Representatives also condemned the latest wave of attacks on Tuesday and urged the Federal Government to take immediate diplomatic and protective measures to safeguard Nigerians in South Africa.
The development has intensified pressure on the Federal Government to adopt a stronger response to recurring xenophobic violence in South Africa, with lawmakers pushing for both diplomatic engagement and economic countermeasures against South African interests in Nigeria.
