THERE was tight security on Wednesday around business premises linked to South Africans to stop further attacks by Nigerians who were angered by the killings and attacks on Nigerians and their businesses in South Africa
Some youths on Tuesday attacked facilities belonging to MTN Nigeria, Shoprite and PEP stores in Lagos, Uyo, Ibadan and other parts of the country.
There was calm in Lagos on Wednesday after Tuesday’s storm.
The MTN office located on the Bodija-Agodi Secretariat Road, Ibadan, Oyo State was set ablaze on Tuesday night.
Residents said the perpetrators attacked the security men on duty around 11pm and threw petrol bombs at the building.
Another account said two young men stormed the facility on a motorcycle to carry out the attack after beating up the security guards on duty.
Spokesman of the Police in Oyo State Gbenga Fadeyi, confirmed the attacks, adding that all South African investments in state had been secured.
When The Nation visited MTN office, officials of the state Anti-crime Task Force and officials of the Oyo State Road Transport Management Agency (OYRTMA) were on standby.
The management of MTN Nigeria Wednesday confirmed the attacks on its facilities in three major cities of Lagos, Ibadan and Uyo.
In a statement, the Company Secretary, Uto Ukpanah, explained that sequel to the attacks and the premium it placed on its human capital and other stakeholders, all service centres and offices will remain shut.
Ukpanah said: “MTN Nigeria Communications Plc confirms that over the last day, our facilities, customers and some of our stakeholders have been the subject of attacks in retaliation for the ongoing xenophobia situation in South Africa. We have confirmed reports of attacks in Lagos, Ibadan and Uyo.
“While we remain committed to providing uninterrupted services, the safety and security of our customers, staff and partners is our primary concern. All MTN stores and service centres will therefore be closed as a precaution until further notice. MTN condemns any acts of violence, prejudice and xenophobia and remains absolutely committed to ensuring a peaceful harmonious and respectful relationship with all communities in Nigeria and across Africa.
“We are engaging all relevant authorities in this regard and we urge them to act swiftly to reduce tensions both in South Africa and Nigeria. We will provide further updates as and when possible.”
The police moved fast on Wednesday to prevent further attacks by deploying their men to secure the premises of South African firms operating in Nigeria.
Such companies include MTN, PEP, Shoprite, Dstv, Gotv and Multichoice.
Security personnel were deployed in MTN offices in Edo, Kaduna, Kano and Ondo states, Shoprite malls in Onitsha, Abuja and Ondo states.
There was pandemonium in Abuja as hundreds of protesters stormed the Shoprite Mall on the Abuja Airport Road near Lugbe.
The mainly-youths protesters, who were prevented by police and soldiers from attacking the mall, burnt used tyres and damaged a billboard.
They hurled stones at the security operatives, situation that caused traffic snarl build-up on the highway, forcing motorists to reroute their trips.
The security operatives, who were attacked, fired teargas and bullets into the air to disperse the protesters.
An artisan opposite the Shoprite Mall, who was hit by a stray bullet, was rushed to an undisclosed hospital.
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Malam Muhammad Bello, called on Abuja residents, especially students and youths, to refrain from retaliatory attacks.
He said the Federal Government was already exploiting diplomatic channels to address the issue. He appealed to residents to give peace a chance.
He warned that attacking South African business interests would have negative economic consequences for the local economy.
The MTN and Multichoice head offices in Kaduna were locked when our reporter visited yesterday.
At the MTN head office, in Abakpa, a yellow coloured banner was sighted at the main gate, bearing an inscription: “We Stand Against Xenophobia”.
Armed policemen on power bikes were strategically positioned at the MTN and Multichoice offices.
There was tight security around MTN, Shoprite and Multi-Choice (DSTV) offices in Kano. The premises were locked.
At the Civic Centre offices of MTN in Kano, customers were seen loitering around the building, hoping that they would be attended to. The ever-busy Shoprite, located on Zoo Road, was also shut.
The story was the same at the Magajin Rumfa Avenue office of DSTV, where few customers were sighted.
One of the company’s private security personnel who pleaded anonymity, said the staff of the company stopped from coming to work since Tuesday.
Some youths stormed the Shoprite Shopping Complex in Onitsha. They were, however, blocked from gaining access into the facility by the eagle-eyed security operatives.
The video of the attacks on Nigerians in South Africa which went viral on the social media had triggered the youths’ anger. They planned to attack Shoprite and other South African-owned business outfits in the commercial city.
The attention of the Police, Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) and Anambra State Vigilance, (AVS), were drawn to the unusual movement of youths as they quickly cordoned off all the roads linking the mall.
The authority at the Shopping Complex quickly ordered workers to leave the Mall to forestall any attack.
When our correspondent visited the area, the ever-busy shopping complex was deserted.
The MTN office in Awka, the Anambra State capital, offered skeletal services yesterday.
An officer, who spoke with The Nation on condition of anonymity, said: “We can’t toy with the safety of our staff and customers in view of the recent events in the country.
“We’re working from home today as we monitor situation.”
In Lagos, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu vowed to deal with troublemakers exploiting the ongoing xenophobic attacks on foreign nationals in South Africa to foment trouble in the Centre of Excellence.
Sanwo-Olu said he would not condone violence in any form on innocent residents and businesses by any person or group.
The governor urged parents to warn their wards against taking to violence, stressing that the full wrath of the law would be brought on anyone caught attacking law-abiding foreigners and businesses in the state.
He said: “We have watched the disturbing videos of attacks and vandalism against Nigerian nationals and their businesses in South Africa. These precipitated strong reactions by some Nigerians who chose to vent their anger on investments on South Africans in Lagos yesterday.
“As a government, we condemn the violence visited on innocent people by the hoodlums who attacked Shoprite and other business interests owned by South Africans in Lagos. We cannot attempt to find a solution to a criminality by committing criminality. This is not part of our values as Nigerians.
“Therefore, I wish to state categorically that Lagos will remain safe for all Nigerian citizens and law-abiding foreign nationals who are here for business.
“We will not condone any act that can lead to breakdown of law and order. I implore all residents to go about their lawful businesses without any fear. Lagos will remain open to local and foreign investments.”
Calling for calm and resfrain, Sanwo-Olu pointed out that the Federal Government had been responding to xenophobic violence in South Africa at the diplomatic level.
In Ondo, the state government ordered the deployment of security in Shoprite and MTN offices.
Acting Governor Agboola Ajayi said the deployment was sequel reports that some people planned to attack telecommunication firm in Akure, the state capital.
Armed policemen were promptly drafted to man the Shoprite gate in Alagbaka area of the state capital. (The Nation)
