The Federal Government on Monday asked the African Union to intervene in the renewed xenophobic attacks on Nigerians and other Africans in South Africa.

The Senior Special to the President on Foreign Affairs and Diaspora, Mrs Abike Dabiri-Erewa, made the call in a statement made available to journalists in Abuja.

Dabiri-Erewa said there was a credible information at her disposal that more attacks against foreigners would take place on Wednesday and Thursday.

She also called on the South African government to take decisive and definitive measures to protect Nigerians and other Africans in South Africa.

She described the attacks as unnecessary setbacks and advised Nigerians to be extra cautious.

Although she urged restraint on the part of Nigerians, the presidential aide warned that further attacks without any reprimand may have dire consequences.

“Dabiri-Erewa said the attention of the AU was being called upon to intervene because there is credible information that more xenophobic attacks against foreigners will take place on February 22 and February 23,” the statement read.

She said Nigeria has lost about 116 Nigerians in the last two years in such attacks.

“We have lost about 116 Nigerians in the last two years and in 2016 alone, about 20 were killed. This is unacceptable to the people and government of Nigeria,” she said.