Xenophobia: This nonsense must stop - CAN president condemns attacks on Nigerians

Xenophobia: This nonsense must stop - CAN president condemns attacks on Nigerians

- CAN's national president, Supo Ayokunle, condemned xenophobic attacks on Nigerians in South Africa

- Ayokunle recommended various steps the Nigerian government should take to address the situation

- The cleric also condemned the reprisal attacks on South Africa-owned businesses in Nigeria, saying two wrongs do not make a right

The national president of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Rev. Supo Ayokunle, has condemned the xenophobic attacks against Nigerians and other foreign nationals in South Africa.

Reverend Ayokunle, in an interview with Daily Sun, said the xenophobia in South Africa is a sign of illiteracy, adding that the spirit that was behind apartheid and racism is the same spirit behind xenophobia.

He said recommended what the Nigerian government should do to address the xenophobic attacks against its citizens in South Africa.

He said: “The way forward is for our government to be more diplomatic in handing this matter and be more decisive. There are so many steps that the government can take.

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“One, if all these diplomatic moves do not work, they can withdraw our envoy from South Africa, and send away their envoy.

“If they start to attack us, they can nationalise their economic facilities here. All their companies can close up, if government can give that order, because they have a lot of economic interests here in Nigeria.

“Apart from the Shoprite people are attacking, which we are begging people not to do so again, they own the MTN, which is the largest mobile carrier or line provider here in Nigeria. They have here the DSTV, which is actually in every home in Nigeria, and other facilities."

The CAN president described the attacks as 'nonsense' that 'must stop', saying South Africans do not have the right to attack foreigners who are residing in their country legally.

“So, if Nigerians are trading and making lawful businesses in South Africa, what right has anybody to go and be attacking them? South Africa cannot be an island to itself.

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“International migration is legitimate migration. If these Nigerians entered South Africa legally, and they were permitted to trade, why are you attacking their businesses? It is a sign of illiteracy. This type of nonsense must stop. Our government must be more decisive, and protect our citizens wherever they are located on the globe,” he said.

The cleric, however, condemned the reprisal attacks being carried out against South Africa-owned businesses in Nigeria.

“I will not encourage reprisal attack. Two wrongs don’t make a right. If the government of South Africa is serious, they would have acted more decisively against the people perpetrating such crime.

“Xenophobic attack is criminal. It should not be allowed in the 21st century. People should be more educated than that. It is a sign of illiteracy. When you don’t have proper education, no matter how educated you are, if it is not proper, it is an illiteracy,” he said.

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Meanwhile, Legit.ng previously reported that South Africa high commission had shut down its Lagos and Abuja offices over retaliatory attacks on South African citizens and businesses by Nigerians.

The directive was given by the acting high commissioner, Amb Bobby Moroe, who said he directed the mission to suspend all consular activities until the situation improved.

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Nigerians’ retaliation over Xenophobic attacks by South Africans; right or wrong? | Legit TV

Source: Legit.ng

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