Xenophobia: Ezekwesili sends message to President over attack on Nigerians in S/A

Former Minister of Education, Oby Ezekwesili has reacted to the killing and attack on Nigerians in South Africa.

Odogwublog had reported that viral videos on Monday showed widespread attacks on Nigerians and their businesses in South Africa.

The President of the Nigeria Union South Africa (NUSA), Adetola Olubajo who confirmed the development to NAN said on Monday that the attacks began on Sunday morning in Jeppestown area of Johannesburg when a building was set ablaze by an angry mob.

“The mob also looted several shops that were around the vicinity suspected to be owned by foreign nationals. But the Police later dispersed the mob and made some arrest.

“Late in the evening of Sunday, Sept. 1, a group of violent locals suspected to be Zulu hostel dwellers besieged Jules Street in Malvern, Johannesburg looted and burned shops/businesses,’’ he said in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.

Reacting to the development, Ezekwesili in a post on Monday lamented the Xenophobic attacks against Nigerians in South Africa.

Ezekwesili further called on President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa to respect collective fight for freedom in South Africa and put a stop to the killings of Nigerians.

The former minister in a post on her Twitter page wrote: “Dear President Cyril Ramaphosa and the government of South Africa, the maiming and killing of citizens of Nigeria and other African countries in South Africa dishonor everything our collective fight for freedom was about.

“Even as children in Primary School, we played our part. Please STOP IT.” she added.