By Joy Anyim
Contrary to social media reports that South Africa owned businesses in Lagos were being attacked by aggrieved youths, the Lagos State Police Command has said no report of an attack had been recorded in any part of the state.
The Nigerian Xpress Newspaper spoke with the State Police Public Relations Officer, Elkana Bala, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), who said the report that businesses owned by South Africans, operating in the state were been attacked, was not true.
Bala who was responding to questions on an alleged attack on MTN office at Apapa and Shoprite outlet in Jakande, along Lekki- Epe expressway, said some youths had only taken to the streets in a peaceful protest to condemn the xenophobic attacks in South Africa, “ But we did not get any report of any of the businesses attacked. People are just making things up. I even called the Area Commander at Ajah and he told me there was no such incident, ” he added.
READ ALSO: Siasia appeals FIFA’s life ban
However, Bala said the command had taken proactive measures to ensure that the state does not witness such attacks, by deploying personnel to strategic parts of the state to ensure the security of lives and properties.
Reports trending on various social media platforms have it that an MTN office at Apapa, Shoprite Outlets at Jakande and Surlere were set ablaze in solidarity for Nigerians affected by the xenophobic attacks in South Africa.
In response to the cruel killings of Nigerians and the looting of their businesses in South Africa, President Muhammadu Buhari had dispatched a Special Envoy to President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa.
The Special Envoy is expected to arrive Pretoria, by Thursday to access the situation and also deliberate with the South Africa authorities on how to bring a lasting solution to the attacks.
