Nigerian nationals in South Africa have called for the arrest and prosecution of killers of their compatriots in that country.
Over 117 Nigerians have been extra-judicially killed in South Africa since 2016, according to government official.
The wanton killings had triggered a number of protests. At least 14 of the protesters were arrested and allegedly branded drug peddlers.
The President of Nigerian Union in South Africa, Mr Adetola Olubajo blamed the continuous killings of Nigerians in that country on the inability of the South African authorities to punish perpetrators.
“Lack of prosecution of these criminal activities has actually emboldened a lot of people to feel that they can kill Nigerians without any consequence,” he said.
He said the apathy of the South African authority to arrest and prosecute the killers has made the situation more complex.
“People are emboldened to perpetrate the crime with impunity and without consequences, because of lack of prosecution. When there are no arrests, no prosecutions, criminals will have effrontery to go into crime without fear of retribution.
“What we are demanding is that whoever commits any crime should be prosecuted to serve as a deterrent to others,” he said.
Olubajo appealed to both Nigerian and South African authorities to intensify efforts to stop the violent attacks against Nigerians in that country.
He however called on Nigerians in South Africa to be law-abiding and shun criminal acts.
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