Fear and uncertainty have spread among Nigerians living in South Africa’s Eastern Cape after unrest linked to a disputed Igbo traditional title ceremony spiralled into attacks on foreign-owned shops and property.
The tension followed an early March event in East London where Solomon Eziko was honoured with the Igbo title of Igwe Ndigbo. Some locals reportedly viewed the ceremony as an attempt to create a parallel traditional authority, triggering protests in parts of Albany and Buffalo areas under KuGompo.
What began as demonstrations soon degenerated into violence, with mobs targeting businesses believed to be owned by Nigerians and other African migrants. Community leaders said at least 26 Nigerians were injured, while cars, shops and goods worth millions of rands were destroyed or looted.
Videos shared online showed traders hurriedly shutting their stalls as crowds ordered foreigners to vacate the streets. In several instances, frightened residents were seen running for safety amid the chaos.
The President of the Nigerian Citizen Association South Africa, Rev. Frank Onyekwelu, said the protest became a cover for long-standing xenophobic hostility toward foreigners. He claimed that threats and hate messages against migrants had increased in recent months, making the Igbo title ceremony a convenient trigger for violence.
However, another Nigerian resident criticised the timing of the event, saying it was held at a period of heightened political tension and anti-migrant sentiment, especially with local elections approaching. According to the source, some members of the Nigerian community had warned leaders that the ceremony could be misunderstood.
Onyekwelu defended the event, explaining that the title was purely cultural and meant to preserve Igbo heritage among Nigerians abroad, not to challenge South African traditional leadership.
The President-General of the Nigerian Union South Africa, Mr Smart Nwobi, confirmed that many Nigerians had remained indoors since the attacks, while numerous shops stayed closed for safety reasons. He noted that Nigerian cultural associations in the country are legally registered and frequently organise heritage events.
Similarly, the President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo in South Africa, Dr ABC Okokoh, denied that a coronation took place, describing the gathering as a symbolic decoration at a private function with no link to governance or land authority.
Reacting to the situation, South Africa’s Minister in the Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, criticised the incident and warned that foreign nationals must respect South Africa’s traditional institutions. She noted that traditional leadership recognition is strictly regulated by law and said the cabinet had received an apology from the Nigerian High Commission.
Ntshavheni also condemned the violence that followed the protest, urging that grievances be expressed lawfully.
Nigeria’s diaspora authorities said they were assessing the situation. The Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, appealed for calm, stating that the Nigerian mission in South Africa was engaging relevant stakeholders to clear misconceptions surrounding the event.
Leaders of other Nigerian groups in South Africa said the unrest was largely confined to parts of East London, though tension remained high. Meetings between Nigerian community leaders and local authorities are expected as efforts continue to restore calm and prevent further attacks while affected traders count their losses.
