The National Assembly has suspended all official visits to South Africa and ordered lawmakers to boycott South African-hosted legislative activities over reported xenophobic attacks targeting Nigerians and other African nationals.

The decision was announced by the Clerk to the National Assembly, Kamoru Ogunlana, in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria in Abuja on Friday.

According to Ogunlana, the suspension covers all official visits to South Africa, while South African-hosted or South African-organised legislative activities and engagements are also to be boycotted until further notice.

He said the decision followed continuing reports of xenophobic attacks, violence, intimidation, destruction of property and other forms of hostility against Nigerians and other African nationals living in South Africa.

The National Assembly leadership, he added, expressed grave concern over the safety, dignity and welfare of Nigerian citizens living or travelling abroad.

The lawmakers called on the South African government to take urgent and concrete steps to protect Nigerians and other African nationals and prevent further attacks.

The National Assembly also urged South African authorities to thoroughly investigate reported incidents, arrest suspected perpetrators and prosecute those found culpable in accordance with the law.

Ogunlana said the suspension and boycott would remain in force until further notice.He added that the decision would be reviewed by the leadership of the National Assembly as circumstances surrounding the reported attacks evolve.