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From Aidoghie Paulinus, Abuja
The Consulate General of Nigeria in Johannesburg, South Africa, Ninikanwa Olachi Oke-Uche, has warned Nigerians residing in South Africa over an anti foreigners protest slated for May 4.
This was even as the President of the Nigeria Union South Africa (NUSA), Smart Nwobi, said Nigerians living in South Africa are still under panic following the xenophobic attacks in the country.
Oke-Uche, in a public notice dated yesterday, said the Consulate was in receipt of information that groups of anti foreigner movements have circulated invitation notices to all South Africans to come out today, May 4, for a total shutdown of all the nine provinces of South Africa, to demand government action against foreigners in the country.
The Nigerian envoy also said groups alleged that foreigners were benefiting more from the country than citizens and therefore, they wanted all foreigners, documented or not, to leave South Africa as a matter of urgency.
“On this note, the groups plan a march for May 4, to remove the foreigners from the country.
“While the protest is intended to be national, but without known clear gathering instructions for most cities, Johannesburg’s gathering location has been designated as Mary-Fitz Gerald Square in Newtown, Johannesburg.
“Consequently, high traffic disruptions are expected in ‘Central Business Districts (CBDs) in Johannesburg, Pretoria, Cape Town and Durban,” the Consul General said.
Oke-Uche further said in light of the foregoing, all Nigerian nationals are strongly advised to avoid engaging any demonstrators or confronting them.
“Rather, all are advised to monitor local media, as well as adopt necessary safety precautions.
“Nigerian business owners are also advised to consider closing their shops/businesses during the duration of the march, as there are no guarantees that the protests will be peaceful and foreign-owned businesses are expected to become soft targets for the demonstrators.
“While we implore our citizens to remain calm and law-abiding, the Consulate General of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in Johannesburg remains available to discharge all consular services to our nationals, while continuing to seek ways to protect our nationals.
“In the meantime, law enforcement agencies have been informed of the planned march and the need to protect our nationals and their interests.
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“Please stay safe, while we remain at your service,” Oke-Uche also said.
He added that though there has not been any attack because it is the weekend, Nigerian businesses were under pressure.
He said: “Our businesses are under pressure. Most of the Nigerian-owned businesses cannot open their shops.
“Recall that the High Commission and the Consulate issued statements directing Nigerians not to open shops because of looting, after the South Africans carried out a march.
“The High Commission did so to avoid confrontation. There was marching in Sunnyside in Pretoria, where majorly Nigerian businesses are Yeoville, in Johannesburg and other surrounding areas in Johannesburg.
“The Nigerian community is still in panic because they are not sure when the march will come to an end in order for them to return to their businesses.”
Nwobi further said in the past, Nigerian businesses were looted, shops set ablaze and most of the victims did not get compensation.
According to him, “Even if they get it, it takes time. That is the reason for precautionary measures by NUSA and the Nigerian mission.”
While commending the government for the recent summon extended to the acting High Commissioner of South Africa to Nigeria, Lindi Mminele, Nwobi said Nigerians in South Africa hoped for a fruitful result.
“We commend the step being taken by the newly appointed minister, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu and we hope that the outcome of the engagement with the South African envoy in Nigeria will yield a fruitful outcome,” he stated.
He added that some Nigerians intended to return home, saying that NUSA, in collaboration with Okey-Uche, have begun compiling lists of Nigerians to be evacuated.
“We are calling on well-meaning Nigerians, Allen Onyema, CEO Air Peace, in his usual magnanimity. He assisted stranded Nigerians in the past in South Africa, we believe he can still do it again and the Federal Government to assist in securing free flight to enable us repatriate some Nigerians who are stranded in South Africa.
“We are equally appealing to the office of NIDCOM chairman, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, to come to the aid of stranded Nigerians,” he further said.
