Anger and condemnations greeted attacks on Nigerians in South Africa in the latest events of xenophobia as dignitaries and celebrities expressed displeasure over the incessant menace.
The social media on Tuesday erupted with comments, posts, videos and pictures of claims and counter-claims as users expressed anger and threats freely.
In the latest attacks, five people were said to be killed, but many believed there were more attacks that were covered up by authorities.
Nigerians and other foreigners in South Africa have been the target of attacks since last week when a taxi driver was killed by an alleged drug peddler from Tanzania in Pretoria.
Protests and reprisal attacks Lagos were carried out on South African businesses, especially MTN offices and Shoprite malls in Lagos, Ibadan and Uyo with one person reportedly shot by the police in Lagos.
Meanwhile, President Buhari specifically sent a special envoy to President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa to express his deep concern about the “reported attacks on Nigerian citizens and property in South Africa since August 29, 2019.”
In a statement signed by the President’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, the Presidency said the special envoy Buhari sent to Ramaphosa was expected to arrive Pretoria by Thursday.
The High Commission of Nigeria in Pretoria has begun compiling a list of the victims of the xenophobic attacks and had directed Nigerians who were affected by the violence to come forward.
The Federal Government also summoned the South African High Commissioner to Nigeria, Bobby Moroe, over the attacks.
Similarly, the House of Representatives is planning to suspend members’ ongoing two-month annual recess to reconvene to address the xenophobic attacks.
The Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila, announced this on his verified Twitter handle, @femigbaja, on Tuesday.
The House was to resume plenary on September 14.
The candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in the last presidential election, Atiku Abubakar, on Tuesday also called on the South African government and the African Union to urgently address the attacks.
He wrote on his Twitter handle: “Reported attacks against Nigerians in South Africa are unacceptable and stand condemned. Urgent steps need to be taken with the SA authorities and the African Union to bring an end to this ill wind that can only end up destroying the fabric of our African brotherhood. -AA”
Meanwhile, MTN Nigeria has condemned attacks on foreigners in South Africa.
In a statement on Tuesday, the Chief Executive Officer, MTN Nigeria, Ferdi Moolman, said the company was against all forms of violence and xenophobia against people.
Moolman said, “MTN Nigeria strongly condemns hate, prejudice and xenophobia and reiterates its unequivocal condemnation of all violence. We seek to connect people, bring people together and provide a platform for everyone’s voice to be heard. We are against all forms of bigotry and discrimination; they should have no place in society.
Other bodies and organisations which condemned the attacks include the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Pyrate Confraternity, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and host of others.