By Umar Salam.
The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), today, disrupted business activities at the Kaduna office of the South African-owned telecommunication company, MTN, over xenophobic attacks in South Africa.
The protesting students frowned at the killings of 118 Nigerians in the last two years in South Africa, added to the recent murder of a 17-year-old Nigerian boy, Chinonso Obiaju, who was shot last Saturday in Johannesburg.
The NANS’ Director, Travels and Exchange, Mr Dominic Philip explained that the demonstration was necessary in order to voice their displeasure with the incessant attacks, looting, destruction and mindless killings of African nationalities, especially Nigerians in South Africa.
He said, “Available record has shown that the levels of attacks on Nigerians is on astronomical rise, with the recent killing of Nigerian by South Africans, on July 20 increasing the number to 118 in the last two years.
“Out of this number, 13 were reportedly killed by South African Police in an extra-Judicial manner.
“It appears that the South African government is incapable of bringing their citizens to order and stop the killings, leaving us with no option than to picket South African businesses in Nigeria until the killing is stopped.
“We, therefore, want the South African government to investigate and provide accurate number of Nigerians so far killed and prosecute perpetrators of xenophobic attacks to ensure justice for the victims.
“We equally want the government to generate data of all Nigerians, whose properties were bunt or looted for immediate compensation.”
The NANS official also demanded that all South African businesses in Nigeria be closed until sufficient proof guaranteeing the safety of Nigerians in South Africa was provided.