{
  "id": 7347003,
  "title": "XENOPHOBIA: Using ‘area boys’ to chase Africans is wrong, Obasanjo condemns S’African govt",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/14/xenophobia-using-area-boys-to-chase-africans-is-wrong-obasanjo",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-14T14:36:33.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Ripples Nigeria",
    "slug": "ripples-nigeria",
    "url": "https://www.ripplesnigeria.com/xenophobia-using-area-boys-to-chase-africans-is-wrong-obasanjo-condemns-safrican-govt/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo has criticized South Africa's handling of xenophobic attacks against African migrants, stating that the government has failed to address the issue adequately. In an interview with C-Suite Cafe, Obasanjo emphasized that even if migrants have broken immigration laws or committed crimes, attacking their homes and businesses is unjustified. \"There are criminals among the illegal migrants, but I do not believe that you use illegality to treat illegality, asking and encouraging area boys and area girls to break into their houses and break into their shops,\" he said. Obasanjo argued that the situation is not only detrimental to South Africa but also to Africa as a whole. He questioned the percentage of immigrants, their contribution to job creation, and the potential consequences of forcibly removing them. Obasanjo also pointed out that the accusations against the South African ruling party (ANC) may be a political problem without a proper solution. He highlighted that the expectations of ordinary people are not being met in many African countries, including Nigeria and Kenya. Obasanjo stressed that using illegality to deal with illegality is not the right approach. He recalled Nigeria's crucial role in the anti-apartheid movement, emphasizing that the country's support was based on the belief that no Black person should be treated inferior due to their skin color. Nigeria's efforts were driven by \"enlightened self-interest\" and for the sake of racial equality, Obasanjo explained. He concluded by acknowledging the importance of Nigeria's contribution alongside other African and international leaders in opposing apartheid and expressed pride in the country's role in ending the struggle.",
  "summary": "Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has condemned the South African government over the xenophobic attacks against African migrants in that country, saying the leaders had not done enough to tackle the problem. The former president spoke in an interview on C-Suite Cafe, hosted by Ikem Okuhu. He said even where migrants had violated immigration laws or […] The post XENOPHOBIA: Using ‘area boys’ to…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}