The timely intervention of security operatives in the early hours of
Wednesday saved attempt by irate youths to attack Shoprite in Onitsha,
the commercial hub of Anambra state.
Shoprite, a multinational trading company with South Africa interest in
Nigeria was being attacked due to renewed Xenophobic attacks on
Nigerians and other nationals in South Africa.
Several personnel of army, police and other security agents were on the
road leading to Shoprite at ABS junction, Onitsha to ensure that the
place was not attacked.
It would be recalled that Shoprite in Lagos state was attacked on
Tuesday over the same issue.
The MTN offices in the state, particularly in Awka, the state capital
was shut for business activities in the day.
A staff of MTN office in Awka under condition of anonymity told this
reporter that the junior staff were directed to operate from their homes
to avoid any negative occurrence.
“We were told on Tuesday that only the senior staff were expected in
office, while we wait for further directives,” he said.
The Chairman of the Igbo Socio-Cultural organization, Ohaneze Ndigbo, in
Anambra state, Chief Demian Ogene Okeke, has condemned the xenophobia
attacks on Nigerians in South Africa.
He described it as a diplomatic hatred, because of the economy position
of Nigeria globally, as the giant of Africa, which has remain unchanged
in their favour.
Okeke, who reacted on the issue, questioned the essence of the renewed
attacks on Nigerians, which has resulted to gruesome killings, looting,
burning of property Nigerians as well Nigerian Embassy attack in South
Africa.
“This is in spite of the fortunes Nigerians spent to sure they got their
independent from their Colonial Masters.
“How can any right thinking person created by God, attack and burn a
fellow human being just because of a slogan “giant of Africa”
He called on the special envoy dispatch by President Mohammadu Buhari to
the South African on the issue to achieve the desired diplomacy for
Nigeria interest.
“It’s so sad, I wish Late Nelson Madela could resurrect to see his
people attacking a country who help fought for the freedom of today’s
South Africa.
On the retaliatory attacks on South Africa Companies in Nigeria; the
MTN, DSTV, Shoprite among others in Lagos and Uyo, Okeke said there was
no need for it because over 80 per cent of Nigerians are employees of
these outfits.
“Attacking these enterprises at this harsh economy situation the country
is currently going through now, would these employees survived with
their families.
“For me, since the South African government has failed to protect the
lives of Nigerians, those living there should take up any availability
to defense themselves and their families,” he said.
Meanwhile, the South-East Young Progressive Forum (YPF)has also
condemned the attacks on Africans and most especially Nigerians in South
Africa.
National Leader of the group, Comrade Otimkpu Paschal Chizoba, in a
statement in Awka on Wednesday, said “it is sad and unfortunate that
the lives and livelihoods of Africans and Nigerians living in South
Africa are being destroyed with such wantonness and with such
carelessness and recklessness.”