Amid the xenophobic attacks in South Africa directed at foreigners, the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has issued a seven-day ultimatum to the South African government within which it should stop the attacks on Nigerians in its country or risk attack on its investments back here in Nigeria.
In a statement released on Sunday in Abuja, the students’ body threatened to wreak havoc on South African businesses in Nigeria and make life difficult for South Africans in the country if the attacks on Nigerians in their country continue, Punch reports.
This was revealed by the Public Relations Officer of NANS, Mr. Ezekiel Nwankwo, who condemned the loss of lives and properties in the attacks.
Nwankwo’s statement read, “It is with sense of brotherhood that we are mandating the South African government to ensure an urgent solution to bring to an end this mysterious killing of our own citizens within the next seven days or will leave us with no alternative than to go against all the South African investments in our noble country, Nigeria.
“We will not stop at this but furthermore make all South African citizens uncomfortable in our country.”
The Federal Government had warned the South African government to stop the xenophobic attacks on migrants and migrant workers and that appropriate measures should be put in place to “prevent a reoccurrence.”
Aggression towards the immigrants in South Africa was apparently triggered by King Goodwill Zwelithini who last month said that foreigners must pack up and leave the country. Soon reports about attacks by locals on immigrants broke out.
Ten Nigerians were said to be among those attacked. The king, whose so-called “hate speech” is believed to have incited violence, blamed the media for misinterpreting his words. But it did not help to solve either the international diplomatic conflict, nor the violence on the local level.
The evacuation of Nigerian citizens from South Africa has however been reported to begin from today, April 20 in response to the growing spate of xenophobic attacks on foreigners that is sweeping the country.
Officially, the Nigerian government has said that none of its citizens have lost their lives yet as a result of the attacks.
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