Things are getting uglier for Nigeria's diplomatic relations with South Africa.
Information reaching us has it that protesters have attacked and vandalised the head office of South African mobile phone giant, MTN in Abuja on Thursday in apparent retaliation for anti-Nigerian violence in South Africa.
An MTN spokesman was quoted as saying: "They are protesting against the xenophobic attacks on Nigerians in South Africa. It's our regional head office in Abuja. That's where we have our customer care center."
He added that the protesters vandalised equipment, stole customer phones and I-Pads. Some customers too were said to have been attacked.
Diplomatic tensions have been brewing between the two countries after South Africans earlier in the week attacked some foreigners' homes and looted their shops in Johannesburg, leading to the death of over 100 people.
The South Africans said they were angry with foreigners, especially Nigerians who they accuse of being involved in drug and prostitution businesses and wanted them to leave their country. Some Nigerians fell victims to these attacks.
On Tuesday, Nigeria's Senior Special Adviser to the President on Foreign Affairs, Hon. Abike Dabiri Erewa called on the African Union to intervene in the matter but nothing has been heard from the AU concerning the incidents.
With the attacks in Nigeria, tensions may escalate and relations between the two countries may continue to worsen.
- News 24
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