Xenophobia: FCT Minister appealed to residents of Abuja against reprisal attacks in Abuja, warns protesters

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello, has appealed to residents of Abuja against engaging in retaliatory attacks on South African nationals and business interests.

FAZENOTE TV reports that reprisals over the attack on Nigerians in South Africa on Wednesday started in Abuja.

The latest target is the Shoprite on Airport Road.

However, the Nigeria Police and military have mobilized to provide cover.

Reacting, Bello in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, CPS, Anthony Ogunleye on Wednesday, urged residents to allow efforts of the federal government to address the recent xenophobic attacks on Nigerians in South Africa succeed.

Bello assured that the Buhari government was already exploiting diplomatic channels to address the issue

While appealing to FCT residents to remain calm and go about their lawful activities, he warned that “law enforcement agencies have been mobilised to forestall any breakdown of law and order and that anybody instigating or participating in any acts of violence or vandalism will face the wrath of the law”.

The statement read in part: “Malam Bello further informed residents that those South African business interests in the FCT are in partnership with Nigerian investors and are contributing to the economic development of the Territory.

“Attacking or vandalising them will ultimately have negative economic consequences for the Nigerian economy and employees of those organisations.

“South African nationals and business interests in the FCT are assured of their safety, it is the pleasure of the FCT Administration to have them living and working in the nation’s Federal Capital Territory.“