[Mhiz Rebecca]

Nigerian militant groups on Wednesday, threatened
to bomb South African companies in retaliation for
the Xenophobic attacks that have occurred in
Johannesburg and Pretoria over the past couple of
weeks. Nigeria Communications Week reports that
Niger Delta militants have given South African firms a
month to vacate the country.
Niger Delta Watchdogs, Niger Delta Volunteers and
Niger Delta Strike Force yesterday addressed a letter
with their concerns to the Office of the South African
High Commissioner to Nigeria. In the letter titled
‘Attack and killings of Nigerians living in South
Africa’, the militants expressed anger that the South
African Police were shielding criminals and working
with them (criminals).
They warned of an imminent attack on all South
African business interests, adding that they could no
longer sit and watch innocent Nigerians being killed
indiscriminately.
Part of the petition read: “Our attention has been drawn
to the series of unprovoked attack, looting, shutting down
of business offices, killing and maiming of Nigerian
nationals living in South Africa.” “It is so regrettable that
a country and nationals that had enjoyed the greatest
affection of Nigerians is now repaying such hospitality
with mindless killing and brutality.”
Apart from MTN, some of the South African
companies in Nigeria listed for attack by the militants
are DSTV and Shoprite, Eskom Nigeria, South African
Breweries (SAB Miller), Umgeni Water, Refresh
Product, LTA Construction and Protea Hotels.
In February, The National Association of Nigerian
Students (NANS) gave South African companies 48
hours to relocate their businesses. The students
demonstrated their disapproval of the Xenophobic
attacks that were occurring in South Africa by
participating in a peaceful march to MTN in Abuja,
this according to Premium Times . The group pleaded
with the Federal Government of Nigeria to evacuate
Nigerians living in South Africa and possibly
sever diplomatic ties with the country before the
situation deteriorates further.
According to reports by EWN , MTN head offices in
Abuja were vandalized last week and equipment
including cellphones were stolen.