No Nigerian killed in South African xenophobic attacks yet according to foreign ministry

NO Nigerian has been killed yet in the ongoing xenophobic attacks taking place across South Africa in which migrants are being murdered by irate mobs reeling from the effects of unemployment and poverty.

With South Africa's economy in a downward spiral, local people in major cities like Durban and Johannesburg have taken their frustration out on fellow Africans. Dozens of migrants have been murdered on the streets in cold blood by according to Nigeria's minister of state for foreign affairs Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, the country is yet to suffer any casualty yet.

According to Senator Obanikoro information from the foreign mission in South Africa, indicates that no Nigerian has died as a result of the attacks yet despite reports to the contrary. Already, the Nigerian Youths Congress (NYC) has called on the South African authorities to immediately halt the ongoing xenophobic attacks or have their nationals in Nigeria subjected to similar treatment.

NYC president Comrade Yakubu Shendam, regretted that the South African authorities are silent on such callous acts perpetrated against a people who have contributed largely to their economic growth. He said it was ingratitude and sheer act of wickedness for any South African national to contemplate harming foreigners, particularly Nigerians who stood behind them during their trying moments.

Comrade Shendam said: “South African citizens are scattered around Nigeria excelling in various businesses and are being protected by the government. In telecommunications alone, what South Africans make from Nigeria is unimaginable.

“If the Nigerian government and people can provide the enabling environment for South Africans to thrive and in turn, her citizens are being maimed and killed for being foreigners, Nigerian youths may be compelled to mete out similar treatment to South Africans operating in the country. Nigerian youths cannot continue to sit and watch South Africans thrive in their various endeavours while Nigerians who are out there in South Africa pursuing legitimate businesses are being hunted down every day."

He warned that henceforth, any report of xenophobia or any maltreatment further meted out to Nigerians in South Africa will be retaliated against their nationals operating in Nigeria. According to Comrade Shendam, if the South African government cannot call its youths to order, the NYC will be left with no alternative but to prove to them that they do not have monopoly of violence.