Reprisals in Nigeria Over South Africa Xenophobic Attacks; Protesters Vandalize MTN Abuja Office

MTN Nigeria

Daily Trust newspaper reports that vandals attacked the regional head office of telecoms giant, MTN in Abuja stealing phones, cash and also destroying vehicle and office equipment.

About 30 vandals invaded the premises at 4 Madeira Street, Maitama at about 11a.m. on Thursday chanting ‘solidarity songs’ armed with sticks and rods.

A MTN staff who was in the premises when it happened said the staff  scurried for safety while the attack lasted for some minutes before the intervention of security operatives. 

“I just heard people running then I started running to hide and by the time we came out after the security operatives chased them out, they have packed all the laptops we used to work, all the phones on display for sale, they broke some computers and took people’s personal phones and money,” the staff who pleaded anonymity said.

The source added that cash were also taken but the amount could not be ascertained at the moment.

“They got into the premises, the windscreen of a car was broken, all the doors from the reception to the personal service were destroyed,” the staff said adding that the vandals were chanting xenophobia songs even after they were chased outside the premises by security operatives.

When contacted the FCT Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Manzah Anjuguri said he has not been briefed on the incident.

In a related develelopment, the umbrella student association in Nigeria, the National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, has given 48 hours ultimatum to all South African companies in Nigeria to relocate over the xenophobic attacks on Nigerians in South Africa.

 

Stop Xenophobia