Nigerians attack South African entities in retaliation

MAIDUGURI, Nigeria

South African telecom giant, MTN has shut its operations in Nigeria following protest over attacks on foreign-owned shops in South Africa.

"All MTN stores and service centers are closed as a precaution until further notice," Uto Ukpanah, MTN company secretary said.

The telecom company confirmed that its offices were being attacked. It said protests and violence against its offices, staff and partners in Nigeria were probably in response to the xenophobic attacks in South Africa.

Ukpanah said the company is already engaged in discussion, with all relevant security agencies to prevent further attacks.

Nigerian President Mohammadu Buhari held a private meeting with the vice president and minister for foreign affairs at the presidential villa to discuss the developments, local media said.

The government announced to recall its High Commissioner to South Africa Kabiru Bala, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports, quoting the Foreign Affairs Minister Geoffrey Onyeama.

The agency said Nigeria is also demanding compensations to all citizens affected in the attacks.

Nigeria is also boycotting the World Economic Forum scheduled in South Africa on Sept 4-6, media reports said.

Some African leaders including Presidents Paul Kagame of Rwanda, Felix Tshisekedi of Democratic Republic of Congo and Malawian Peter Mutharika have also announced withdrawal from the forum.

Renewed attacks hit Johannesburg on Monday, with some Nigerians reportedly among the victims. The latest xenophobic attacks started on Aug. 29.

In retaliation, scores of South African investments across Nigeria have come under attack.

Some protesters on Tuesday and Wednesday stormed ShopRite, a retail center owner by South Africans in the commercial city of a Lagos and Abuja, the nation's capital.

At least one person was killed and over a dozen injured in the Lagos protest as anti-riot cops tried to disperse the protesters, the police said.