The National Association of Nigerian Students has issued a final warning to South Africa over violent attacks on Nigerians, saying major businesses like MTN could be forced out of Nigeria, Sahara Reporters reported.
NANS sent a letter to South African High Commissioner Thamsanga Dennis Mseleku in Abuja, expressing anger at what it called continuous and brutal xenophobic violence against Nigerians in South Africa.
The letter, signed by NANS President Comrade Atiku Isah, said the association speaks for over 40 million Nigerian students. Isah said the group would no longer tolerate what he called the systematic attacks on Nigerians in South Africa.
NANS said it was unacceptable for South Africans to attack other Africans. The group noted Nigeria’s key role in ending Apartheid, stating that Nigeria provided financial and diplomatic backing and made huge sacrifices for South Africa’s freedom.
The association said the current violence goes against the shared Pan-African history that once linked both nations. NANS stated it has lost all patience.
NANS warned that if any Nigerian is attacked or killed in South Africa again, it would mobilise millions of members across the country to close operations and push MTN and other South African firms out of the Nigerian market.
The student body said it will not watch while Nigerian lives are disregarded. It called on South Africa to act quickly and firmly against attackers and to guarantee the safety of all Nigerians in the country.