By Matthew Mahmood
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Nigeria's Minister of Foreign Affairs Olugbenga Ashiru
The South African government deported 125 Nigerians on March 2 for allegedly travelling with fake yellow fever vaccination cards. The Nigerian government retaliated by refusing to allow the entry of some South Africans into Nigeria in a face-off that generated from a cold war in the Libyan crisis; after Nigeria supported the incoming government and South Africa supported late Colonel Muammar Gaddafi.
Popular broadcast journalist cum legislator Mrs Abike Dabiri-Erewa told The Nation that 'the illegal deportation of 125 Nigerians by the South African government is "inhuman". She explained that the Nigerian Immigration authorities were not asking South African citizens for yellow fever vaccination cards in Nigeria since it was within the requirement of visa application.
Some more South Africans were later deported from Nigeria in a rush. Nigeria eventually deported 131 South Africans after the Minister of Internal Affairs Abba Moro said that Nigeria may reciprocate 'if the deportation was done in bad faith'. It was simply tit-for-tat. Some Nigerians call it “do-me-i-do-you…” in Pidgin English. The Nigerian government clearly wanted the South African government to adhere to five conditions for reconciliation:
•unconditional apology to Nigeria over the deportation of 125 Nigerian travelers last Friday from the Oliver Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg;
•compensation for all the victims of the harsh treatment;
•disciplinary action against all the officials involved in the cruelty to Nigerians;
•a review of the Yellow Fever Vaccination Card policy; and
•a commitment that such a diplomatic slip will not re-occur.
—Daily Post
The South African government has apologized to the Nigerian government and both counties have reconciled. Nigeria initially 'threatened to kick out big South African companies that operate in Nigeria, like MTN and South African Airways'.
The National Publicity Secretary of Congress for Progressive Change Party, Rotimi Fashakin told Vanguard that the Nigerian deportees were not allowed food and water for 24 hours and denounced such inhuman treatment by the South African government.
On Vox Africa (Sky Channel 218), Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Olugbenga Ashiru was angry and said that some South Africans were suffering from xenophobia. They assume that they are better than other Africans and are scared that other Africans would want to take their jobs. Both countries ‘deported’ 256 people during their diplomatic row.
In 2011, it will be recalled that the British authorities stopped Arik Air from flying to London. The Nigerian government and Aviation minister Mrs Stella Oduah Ogiemwonyi quickly ‘slashed’ British Airways' routes to Nigeria until the issues of Bilateral Air Services Agreement were resolved. Tit for tat?
The Killing of British and Italian Hostages
Boko Haram terrorists' spokesman claimed that they did not kidnap or kill hostages in Nigeria but who killed the British and Italian hostages in Nigeria last Thursday? Hostages Chris McManus and Francesco Molinara were reportedly kidnapped in Nigeria in 2011 by terrorists called “al-Qaida in the land beyond the Sahil” until they were found dead after a rescue operation that was unsuccessful. Boko Haram terrorists are 'linked' to Al-Qaeda terrorists.
British Prime Minister David Cameron allegedly ordered the rescue operation without telling the Italian government. It led to a diplomatic row. The failed rescue bid was carried out by the Special Boat Service – Maritime Counter Terrorism, Royal Marines and Nigerian security forces.
British and Italian hostages killed in Nigeria
Nigeria: al-Qaeda’s new heartland of terror
Hostage-Takers 'Ordered To Kill' As Net Closed
Nigeria hostage murder: Britain and Italy try to smooth over row
