The Federal Government has summoned the South African High Commissioner to Nigeria over the ongoing xenophobic attack on foreign nationals.

Nigerians based in South Africa have been affected in the widespread attack.

In the statement issued on Saturday, May 2, 2026, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, said the acting High Commissioner had been invited to Abuja over the issue.

Ebienfa noted that the purpose of the engagement is to formally convey the Nigerian Government’s concern about recent events that could affect the established cordial relations between Nigeria and South Africa.

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has extended an invitation to the Acting High Commissioner of the Republic of South Africa for a meeting scheduled to take place on Monday, May 4, 2026, at the Ministry’s headquarters in Abuja,” the statement read

“The objective of this engagement is to formally convey the Nigerian Government’s profound concern regarding recent events that have the potential to impact the established cordial relations between Nigeria and South Africa.

“Discussions will primarily focus on the ongoing demonstrations by various groups within South Africa and the documented instances of mistreatment of Nigerian citizens and attacks on their businesses.

“The Ministry is aware of the growing discontent among Nigerians concerning the treatment of their nationals in South Africa.

“Nevertheless, it implores the Nigerian public to remain calm and reiterates the Federal Government’s commitment to protecting the rights and well-being of Nigerian citizens residing in South Africa.”

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Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, have arrested two elderly men, aged 83 and 78, in separate operations in Abia and Ekiti states as part of a nationwide crackdown on illicit drug trafficking.

The arrests were announced on Sunday in a statement by NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi.

According to the agency, the 83-year-old suspect, Pa John Ofiel, was apprehended on April 28 during a raid at Samek area by Powerline in Aba, Abia State, following credible intelligence.

Officers reportedly recovered 700 grams of skunk, a strain of cannabis, packaged in retail sachets. The suspect claimed he was previously a shoemaker before engaging in the drug trade.

In a similar operation, NDLEA operatives in Ekiti State arrested a 78-year-old man, Ogunjobi Samuel, on April 30 at his residence on Owode Street, Ilupeju-Ekiti. About 350 grams of skunk were allegedly recovered from him.

In Oyo State, two women — Rebecca King, 24, and Olaniyan Opeyemi, 31 — were arrested in connection with the seizure of 1.925 kilograms of Colorado, a synthetic cannabis. King was intercepted along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway on April 29, while Opeyemi was arrested in a follow-up operation at Iwo Road, Ibadan, as she attempted to receive the consignment.

Also in Ibadan, NDLEA operatives arrested a suspected drug dealer, Taofik Adeyemi, 49, alongside his associate, Mustapha Oyerinde, 28, on May 2 at Erunmu after months of evading arrest. Recovered from them were 3.085 kilograms of skunk and a Toyota Camry car.

Two of Adeyemi’s alleged accomplices had earlier been arrested in December 2025 and are currently facing prosecution at the Federal High Court in Ibadan.

In Osun State, a 65-year-old driver, Oladayo Awoyemi, was arrested on April 30 at Ile-Ife toll gate along the Ibadan-Ilesha Expressway with a carton containing 7 kilograms of skunk and 15 grams of methamphetamine.

A subsequent operation led to the arrest of the alleged owner of the drugs, Ifedayo Babalola, 40, in Ilesha.

In Borno State, NDLEA officers arrested a 27-year-old suspect, Yahaya Shehu, on April 29 along the Damaturu-Maiduguri road, recovering 76,440 pills of Tramadol (225mg).

In a separate operation, a truck driver, Magaji Isa, 30, was apprehended with 14,000 capsules of Tramadol, while a follow-up raid in Biu led to the arrest of the alleged owner, Abdulhamid Mahmud, 28.

Further interceptions included the seizure of 290 kilograms of skunk from two suspects, Ojo Major Ebose, 36, and Chika Obiechefula, 32, along the Abuja-Jos highway in Kaduna State.

In Jigawa State, NDLEA operatives recovered 49,800 capsules of Tramadol from two suspects arrested along Bauchi Road in Hadejia.

In Lagos State, a raid at Awolowo Market in Mushin on May 2 led to the recovery of 740 kilograms of skunk. Meanwhile, in Edo State, a suspect identified as Godstime Godspower, 25, was arrested in Idogbo community, Benin City, with various illicit drugs including Loud, Colorado, Tramadol, Swinol, and methamphetamine.

The agency also said its commands nationwide sustained their War Against Drug Abuse, WADA, sensitisation campaigns in schools, religious centres, workplaces, and communities.

Reacting to the development, NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Mohamed Buba Marwa, commended officers across affected states for their efforts, urging them to maintain the momentum in both enforcement and public awareness initiatives.

The NDLEA has made great strides in apprehending drug pushers in Nigeria since Buba Marwa was first appointed by former President Muhammadu Buhari in January 2021. He has since been reappointed by the incumbent, President Tinubu.

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