South Africa hits back at Nigeria over compensation demand

South Africa has rejected Nigeria's demand for compensation over the xenophobic attacks on Nigerians living there, and instead asked us to show them the drug dens owned by Nigerians. The South African government said they will not pay a single kobo until Nigeria proves it is serious about tackling the criminal activities of some of its citizens operating in their country.

The Nigerian government had demanded compensation for properties looted and destroyed during the attacks, but South Africa fired back saying Nigerians are the ones running drug cartels in their townships. They said the Nigerian High Commission should first produce the addresses of drug dens and criminal hideouts owned by Nigerians before talking about compensation.

This is a serious diplomatic slap on Nigeria's face. Our government is busy demanding money instead of first cleaning up the image of Nigerians abroad. When your citizens are known for drug trafficking and cybercrime in another country, you cannot walk into that country with your chest out demanding compensation. Be honest, is Nigeria's approach to this issue making any sense at all?