By Winnie Onu, Makurdi
The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Southwest Zone D, has threatened to stage protests and picket South African business interests in Nigeria following renewed xenophobic attacks that reportedly claimed the lives of two Nigerians.
In a statement issued on Wednesday the zone’s coordinator, Adeyemo Josiah Kayode, described the killings as part of a disturbing pattern of violence against Nigerians living in South Africa.
He said the attacks were unacceptable and called for an immediate end to what he termed the continued targeting of Nigerians.
The student body said it is mobilising for “peaceful and lawful” picketing and mass advocacy against South African firms operating in Nigeria, including MTN Group and MultiChoice Group.
NANS argued that it was unjust for such companies to operate profitably in Nigeria while Nigerians allegedly face violence abroad, insisting that the situation presents a moral contradiction.
The association also urged the South African government to take urgent steps to protect foreign nationals and ensure justice for victims of xenophobic attacks, warning that delayed responses would not be tolerated.
While expressing readiness for dialogue with relevant stakeholders, including business representatives and diplomatic channels, the group maintained that Nigerian students would not remain passive in the face of continued attacks on their compatriots.
