Tension flared in parts of Nigeria on Monday morning as groups of angry youths reportedly vandalised structures linked to Shoprite in protest against renewed xenophobic attacks on Nigerians and other African nationals in South Africa.
The protesters, who stormed some Shoprite outlets in the early hours of the day, disrupted business activities and forced several traders and customers to flee for safety amid fears of escalating violence.
Eyewitnesses who made the information available to the media, said the youths damaged parts of the facilities while expressing outrage over repeated attacks on foreigners in South Africa, particularly Nigerians who have allegedly faced harassment, assaults, and destruction of property in recent years.
Some of the protesters were heard threatening to extend the action to other businesses perceived to have South African ties, including telecommunications giant MTN, if authorities fail to address the situation.
“The attacks on Nigerians in South Africa cannot continue while South African businesses operate freely here,” one of the protesters reportedly said during the demonstration.
Business activities within affected Shoprite premises were temporarily shut down as security concerns mounted around the affected locations.
The development has again brought renewed attention to the long-standing diplomatic and social tensions triggered by xenophobic violence in South Africa, where foreign nationals, especially Africans from other countries, have repeatedly come under attack.
Observers, however, noted that Shoprite’s ownership structure has changed significantly over the years, with reports indicating that South African investors no longer maintain the same level of direct investment control previously associated with the retail brand in Nigeria.
Security agencies were yet to issue an official statement on the incidents as of the time of filing this report, while there were no immediate confirmations of casualties or arrests linked to the attacks.
The latest unrest is expected to spark fresh conversations around the safety of Nigerians living abroad, regional relations within Africa, and the protection of businesses during public protests.
