Nigerians, in a bid to retaliate to the ongoing xenophobic attacks on Nigerians in South Africa, attacked some amazulu firms in Nigeria on Tuesday. The attacks on these firms have caused panic and tension in certain areas of Lagos state as well as uneasiness throughout the whole country.
The federal government, in a statement released on Tuesday, 3rd of September via the minister of information and culture, described the attacks on South African businesses as deeply disturbing.
He said that targetting South African companies in Nigeria is a classic case of cutting off one’s nose in other to spite the face, as the investors in those companies, particularly MTN and Shoprite, are Nigerians.
Most of the South African businesses in Nigeria are merely franchises bought by Nigerians, therefore destroying and looting such business premises means hurting Nigerians directly. He added that most of the people working in these organisations are Nigerian citizens and should they decide to leave, the rate of unemployment in the country will rise higher than ever.
He assured Nigerians that the Federal Government has started taking decisive measures to put an end to the persistent xenophobic attacks against Nigerians in South Africa.
”President Muhammadu Buhari has dispatched a Special Envoy to convey to his South African counterpart, President Cyril Ramaphosa, his concerns and also interact with his South African counterpart on the situation.
”Also, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Geoffrey Onyeama, acting on the instruction of Mr. President, has summoned the South African High Commissioner to Nigeria to get a brief on the situation; express Nigeria’s displeasure over the treatment of her citizens; and secure assurance of the safety of their lives and property,” the Minister said.