>
Lagos State governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Wednesday said his administration will not condone any form of violent attacks on innocent residents, especially South Africa nationals and their businesses in the state, warning that troublemakers exploiting the ongoing xenophobic attacks on foreign nationals in South Africa to foment trouble in Lagos would be dealt with.
The governor issued the stern warning to those who have been engaging in reprisals against South African business concerns in Lagos since Tuesday.
One person was killed as a mob attempted to shut down the Shoprite outlet in Lekki after the one in Ikeja had earlier been forced to close down.
The attacks continued today on MTN offices in Lagos, Abuja and Ibadan.
But Sanwo-Olu in his warning stressed that full wrath of the law would be brought on anyone caught in the violence.
His words: “We have watched the disturbing videos of attacks and vandalism against Nigerian nationals and their businesses in South Africa. This precipitated strong reactions by some Nigerians who chose to vent their anger on investments on South Africans in Lagos yesterday.
“As a government, we condemn the violence visited on innocent people by the hoodlums who attacked Shoprite and other business interests owned by South Africans in Lagos. We cannot attempt to find a solution to a criminality by committing criminality. This is not part of our values as Nigerians.
“Therefore, I wish to state categorically that Lagos will remain safe for all Nigerian citizens and law-abiding foreign nationals who are here for business.
“We will not condone any act that can lead to breakdown of law and order. I implore all residents to go about their lawful businesses without any fear. Lagos will remain open to local and foreign investments.”
Sanwo-Olu also noted that the federal government was already responding to the xenophobic violence in South Africa at the diplomatic level.