Xenophobic: N’Assembly, Atiku, Saraki, Others Condemn Attacks on Nigerians in S’Africa
*Police keep vigil on MTN, Shoprite facilities
The National Assembly and other prominent Nigerians Tuesday expressed anger over the attacks on Nigerians living in South Africa.
The Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, while reacting to the attacks said ‘enough is enough’, adding that Nigeria can no longer take such hate crimes from South Africans.
Lawan called on the South African parliament to rise and take action to stop the attacks.
Similarly, the Speaker, House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, wrote in his twitter account Tuesday that the House may reconvene to address the issue of attack on Nigerians in South Africa.
Many other Nigerians, including the former Vice President Atiku Abubakar in a statement condemned the attack.
Atiku in a statement said both South Africans and Nigerians should see themselves as brothers and not as adversaries.
The former Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki had also in his twitter handle condemned the attack on Nigerians.
He wrote, ‘’Nigerians should be allowed to carry out legitimate businesses without fear for their lives.
‘’I encourage @NigeriaGov and @CyrilRamaphosa to take decisive actions that will send a strong message. Every Nigerian lives matter.’’
Nigeria had in reaction to the attack summoned the South African High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr. Bobby Monroe.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr. Geoffrey Onyeama, said the federal government has protested against the attack.
He said, “We have registered our strong protest to the government of South Africa but most importantly, we have put forward to the South African government what we think will make a big difference.
“One, with regards to compensation for those who have suffered losses and most importantly, a security proposal that we believe will safeguard the security of Nigerians in the future.
“We are hoping to see the possibility of sending some security agents, deploying them initially in the Nigerian High Commission, to work closely with the South African Police Force.”
The minister said Nigeria will not allow any revenge attack on South African interest in Nigeria.
According to him, two wrongs cannot make a right.
Meanwhile, the Police is keeping vigil on facilities belonging to MTN and Shoprite to avoid reprisal attacks on the companies.
Angry Nigerians had planned attacks on the two but have been prevented from doing so by security agencies.
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