THE  Federal Government on Wednesday cautioned Nigerians in South Africa against travelling to high risk and volatile areas until the mob action against Nigerians and other foreign nationals in that country is brought under control.

Ferdinand Nwoye, spokesperson of the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said in a statement obtained on official Twitter handle of the ministry, that the the caution by the Nigerian government became necessary in view of the tension created by the attacks.

“The Federal Government of Nigeria totally condemns the renewed attacks on foreign nationals and their businesses in South Africa which has led to the loss of lives and properties worth millions of naira,” Nwoye said.

He noted that the government is committed to protecting lives and properties of Nigerians in South Africa.

According to him, mediation talks are ongoing between relevant Nigerian and South African authorities via the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria, Consulate general in Johannesburg and the ministry in Abuja to calm the situation down and restore peace amongst the sister African nations.

He said the Federal Government commended the effort of the South African police on the arrest of some perpetrators of the attacks and called for timely prosecution

The acts of violence and xenophobia which started early Monday in South Africa have led to retaliatory attacks on South African investments in Nigeria.

Meanwhile, unconfirmed reports say the Federal Government has pulled out of the ongoing World Economic Forum in Cape Town, South Africa, over fresh xenophobic attacks.

The country is also making plans to recall Kabiru Bala, its high commissioner to South Africa, the Cable quoted a presidential source as said.

It said the decisions were taken at a meeting between President Muhammadu Buhari, Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo and Geoffrey Onyeama, minister of foreign affairs, at the presidential villa in Abuja, on Tuesday