By Shola Abayomi.
The Minister of Information and Culture, Alh. Lai Mohammed has warned against reprisal attacks targeted at South African businesses operating in Nigeria in a bid to get even with the xenophobic onslaught on Nigerians in South Africa.
The minister, in a statement issued on Tuesday in Abuja, noted that attacking South African establishments in Nigeria was “a classic case of cutting off your nose to spite your face” because it would hurt Nigeria more.
He disclosed that the investors in South African companies in Nigeria, especially Shoprite and MTN are Nigerians, adding that the majority of its workers are also Nigerians.
“This means that, Nigerian workers will be hardest hit if such companies are forced to shut down for fear of attacks” the minister said.
Alhaji Mohammed reiterated that the Federal Government had begun taking decisive measures to tackle the recurring attacks on Nigerians in South Africa.
He said, ”President Muhammadu Buhari has dispatched a Special Envoy to convey to his South African counterpart, President Cyril Ramaphosa, his concerns and also interact with his South African counterpart on the situation.
”Also, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Geoffrey Onyeama, acting on the instruction of Mr President, has summoned the South African High Commissioner to Nigeria to get a brief on the situation.”