Xenophobia: South African missions close shops in Nigeria

ABUJA, Nigeria – South African High Commission in Nigeria has shut down all consular activities as a result of retaliatory attacks on South Africans doing business in Nigeria.

Aggrieved Nigerians had invaded some South African concerns in Nigeria, ransacking their offices and setting some of their equipment and structures on fire in retaliation for inhuman treatment metted out to Nigerians living in South Africa as a result of xenophobia.

Till date, not less than 120 Nigerians have been killed, their businesses destroyed with some burnt alive because they are Nigerians doing business in South Africa.

Reacting to wide spread protest in Nigeria, Acting South African High Commissioner, Amb. Bobby Moroe said he directed the mission to suspend all consular activities as a reult of attacks on South Africans until further notice.

“I directed that the Mission should be closed until the situation improves. We heard that South Africans were being pulled out of vehicles and attacked. We feel unsafe and that is why I directed that the mission should close down until further notice,” he said.