The alleged recall of the Nigerian Ambassador to South Africa is generating more ripples, as the Permanent Secretary to the Foreign Affairs Ministry, Ambassador Danjuma Sheni, has been suspended.

The Presidency is said to have queried what it referred to as the unauthorised recall or the summoning of the Nigerian Ambassador.

The Permanent Secretary has been asked to explain “why he should not be disciplined for embarrassing the nation in what is seen as a poor handling of the situation and causing diplomatic ridicule to the nation,”

The South African government on Monday criticised the Nigerian government over decision to recall its ambassador.

The government of South Africa said it was ‘unfortunate and regrettable’ that a sister country like Nigeria would take such an action even when it was clear that the government of South Africa was taking steps to stop the attacks on sovereign nationals.

The ministry, in a statement on Saturday, said it had asked the Acting High Commissioner, Martin Cobham and Deputy High Commissioner, Uche Ajulu-Okeke, to return to Nigeria for consultations.

“The invitation is in connection with the on-going xenophobia in South Africa targeting foreigners, mainly African migrants,” the statement said.

However, on Monday, the ministry denied recalling the Acting High Commissioner of Nigeria to South Africa, Martin Cobham, and the Consul General in Johannesburg, as reported in the media.

•Photo shows Sheni