Nigeria tightens security for SA businesses over xenophobic violence

There is heavy protection across Nigeria for South African-owned businesses and it’s embassy facilities as angry reactions continue over xenophobic attacks in South Africa.

Nigeria has already recalled its high commissioner to South Africa and boycotted an ongoing World Economic Forum event in Cape Town.

Presidents Paul Kagame (Rwanda), Felix Tshisekedi (DRC) and Peter Mutharika (Malawi) have all withdrawn from the event.

Nigeria’s decision to recall it’s ambassador to South Africa was taken at meeting between President Muhammadu Buhari, his vice Osinbajo and Foreign Affairs Minister, Geoffrey Onyeama.

There has been wide condemnation of ongoing chaos in South Africa with some African countries livid about the wave of xenophobic attacks there.

For months now, Nigerians have been protesting what they call xenophobic attacks on their nationals in South Africa.

South Africa also on Thursday temporarily closed its embassy in Nigeria due to safety concerns.

Nigeria’s Inspector-General of Police, IGP Mohammed Adamu, on Wednesday ordered watertight security around businesses owned by South Africans after an attack on Shoprite outlets in Lekki Area of Lagos Sate.

Some miscreants attacked and looted the malls ostensibly under the pretext of protesting against the incessant “xenophobic” attacks in South Africa.

A total 125 suspects have been arrested in connection with the incident while a good number of looted valuables have been recovered by the Police.

In a statement the police said ““Miscreants and criminal-minded people who masquerade as genuine protesters are therefore warned to stay off the streets of Nigeria as the Force will not hesitate to bring to bear the full weight of the law on any such law breaker.”

“Parents and Guardians are therefore enjoined to prevail on their children and wards to desist from acts capable of causing breakdown of law and order in the country,” the statement added.

Source: Africafeeds.com