PORT HARCOURT- The Nigerian Union in South Africa has expressed shock and disbelief at reports which said Nigerians were not affected by the xenophobic attacks in that country.
The President of Nigerian Union in South Africa, Mr. Ikechukwu Anyene, told newsmen on phone from Pretoria, South Africa, that the Union and other stakeholders had read reports insinuating that the xenophobic attacks did not affect Nigerians.
“ We have read reports by some on line publishers that the xenophobic attacks did not affect Nigerians living in South Africa.
“ It is really sad and unfortunate to read this kind of reports.
“ For the records, Nigerians were among foreign nationals badly hit by the xenophobic attacks.
“Nigerians lost more than 4.1 million Rand (N84 million) to the attacks.
“ More than 50 Nigerians were displaced by the attacks. Shops owned by Nigerians were looted, some burnt.
“ A mechanic workshop was burnt with the 11 cars in it awaiting repair.
“ Two cars were also stolen while another mechanic workshop was burnt,’’ he said.
Anyene also said that there were reports of attacks on Nigerians in some provinces that were not reported, adding that the Union was working on these.
“ We have compiled a report of the attacks on Nigerians and submitted same to the Federal Government through the Nigerian Mission in South Africa.
“ It is also interesting to note that Nigeria’s Consul General in South Africa, Amb. Uche Ajulu-Okeke, saw Nigerians affected by the attacks.
“ She also visited scenes of the attacks in Durban, Johannesburg and Jeppes town to ascertain shops, mechanic workshops and cars belonging to Nigerians burnt during the attacks,’’ he said.
Anyene said the Union and the Nigerian Mission have pictures and other evidence of the attacks on Nigerians.
