Nigeria has called on the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to present a united front against the recent xenophobic attacks on Nigerians and other African nationals in South Africa by taking the matter before the African Union (AU).

Speaking through Vice President Kashim Shettima at the 69th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government in Freetown, Sierra Leone, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu said a collective condemnation by ECOWAS would send a strong message that xenophobia and intolerance have no place on the African continent.

The President urged member states to table the issue at the next session of the African Union Assembly, stressing that South Africa should be reminded of the sacrifices made by several African countries, including Nigeria, in supporting its liberation struggle.

President Tinubu disclosed that Nigeria had evacuated more than 1,490 of its citizens from South Africa in seven batches following the attacks and reaffirmed the Federal Government’s readiness to continue diplomatic engagement on the matter.

He also called for stronger regional cooperation to safeguard the rights, dignity and safety of Africans across the continent, while reaffirming Nigeria’s commitment to peace, regional integration and collective action through ECOWAS.