Xenophobia: Saraki Cautions Nigerians Against Reprisal Attacks

The former Senate President, Bukola Saraki, on Wednesday, while reacting to the xenophobic attacks on Nigerians in South Africa, cautioned his countrymen against reprisal against businesses believed to be owned by South Africans.

The incident was confirmed by the President of the Nigeria Union South Africa, Adetola Olubajo, he stated that the attacks began on Sunday morning in Jeppestown area of Johannesburg when a building was set ablaze by an angry mob.

“The mob also looted several shops that were around the vicinity suspected to be owned by foreign nationals. But the Police later dispersed the mob and made some arrest.”

“Late in the evening of Sunday, Sept. 1, a group of violent locals suspected to be Zulu hostel dwellers besieged Jules Street in Malvern, Johannesburg looted and burned shops/businesses”.

Following the attack, some Nigerians had embarked on reprisal attacks on businesses owned by South Africans in the country.

The aggrieved Nigerians attacked some outlets of Shoprite and MTN offices in some states.

However, Saraki described the reprisal attack as “disheartening and disturbing.”

Saraki who took to his Twitter account wrote: “Videos of Nigerians engaging in reprisal attacks in Nigeria against businesses believed, in many cases erroneously, to be owned by South Africans are disheartening and disturbing.”