South Africa and Nigeria have agreed to deepen cooperation on migration, crime prevention and regional security following high-level bilateral talks held in Abuja.
Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Ronald Lamola, serving as President Cyril Ramaphosa's Special Envoy, delivered a message from the President to Nigerian President Bola Tinubu during the visit, as the two countries sought to strengthen diplomatic and security ties.
The discussions centred on a range of shared concerns, including organised crime, migration management and attacks on law enforcement officers during crime-fighting operations.
Both delegations also reviewed feedback on the processing and arrest of more than 500 Nigerian nationals in South Africa.
Lamola stressed that South Africa's law enforcement operations are intelligence and evidence-driven, targeting individuals suspected of criminal activity rather than the wider Nigerian community living lawfully in the country.
He also reaffirmed the South African government's commitment to combating xenophobia and protecting the rights of all people residing within its borders.
The two governments agreed to continue addressing common challenges through diplomatic engagement and enhanced cooperation between their security agencies, with the aim of strengthening regional stability and tackling cross-border crime.