By Ayoni M. Agbabiaka
Following the recent xenophobic attacks on Nigerians by South Africans, indigenes of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and some section of the FCT residents have threatened to close down South African business outfits operating in the nation’s capital as a reprisal attack.
In a communiqué jointly signed by the secretary general of the forum, Comrade Yunusa Yusuf and the Eze Igbo of Abuja, HRH Ibe Nwosu, they issued a 48-hour to the South African authorities in Nigeria to prevail on their indigenes to stop killing Nigerians or face reprisals.
Some of the South Africa businesses operating in the Federal Capital Territory listed for attack include, but not limited to, Shoprite, DSTV, Barcelos, Pick n Pay, Spar, Steer, MTN, Debonairs, Hungry Lion, Mr. Price among others.
The communiqué made available to journalists in Abuja pointed out that Africans must integrate as a continent to battle the xenophobic attack in South Africa, adding that concrete steps must be taken by South African authorities to tackle the menace.
The communiqué reads in part: “That there have been relentless attempts by the South African government to undermine peace in the continent and replace it with a different ideology based on xenophobia.
“That, we the host community of multi nationals including South Africa business community are not happy with the onslaught in South Africa on flimsy and baseless guise of xenophobia.
“That we pledge to remain our brother’s keeper irrespective of nations, tribes and tongues and we will continue to act as such within the limit of our laws and International Conventions.
“That we are confident that the Federal Government of Nigeria will handle the situation in South Africa at the international level.
“Having studied the situation in South Africa vis-a-vis the trauma our brothers are subjected to in the past weeks, we have resolved to give the South Africa authority forty eight (48) hours ultimatum to apologise to Nigerians and other African countries for the wanton killings and destruction of property of other nationals resident in South Africa.
“That failure to come up with permanent solution within the stipulated 48 hours ultimatum, drastic measures including attacks on the business interest of South Africa in the Federal Capital Territory will be ruthlessly carried out as a reprisal to the ongoing xenophobia.
The group regretted that despite the fact that South Africa businesses operating in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja had continued to marginalise Abuja indigenes in area of employment, “Abuja natives have allowed them to operate without intimidation from any quarters”.
They stressed that the South Africa government should, forthwith, demonstrate the spirit of brotherhood towards other nationals resident in South Africa or face the consequences.