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Lagos, Lagos State – By Prime Brief Media

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Southwest Zone D, has announced plans to embark on peaceful picketing and mass advocacy targeting South African business interests operating in Nigeria in response to the latest wave of xenophobic attacks that have claimed the lives of Nigerian nationals. The announcement, contained in a statement issued to newsmen on Wednesday, signals a significant escalation of public anger over the violence.

The statement, signed by Comrade Adeyemo Josiah Kayode, Coordinator of NANS Southwest (Zone D), described the recent killing of two Nigerians in South Africa as "not just an isolated tragedy but a painful reminder of a recurring pattern of hostility and violence against our people." Kayode declared: "We categorically state that the continued targeting of Nigerians under any guise is unacceptable and must come to an immediate end."

According to the student body, the planned picketing will target major South African corporations with significant operations in Nigeria, including telecommunications giant MTN Group and pay-TV provider MultiChoice Group. "It is morally indefensible for businesses to thrive in an environment where the lives of Nigerians are protected, while Nigerians are subjected to fear and violence elsewhere. This contradiction will no longer be tolerated," the statement read.

NANS Southwest called on the South African government and relevant authorities to urgently demonstrate a genuine commitment to protecting foreign nationals, particularly Nigerians, and to ensure that justice is served in all reported cases of violence. The group warned that "silence, delayed responses, or symbolic gestures will not suffice," stressing that the safety, dignity, and rights of Nigerians must be guaranteed and not negotiated.

The student body, however, assured that it remains open to dialogue and constructive engagement with South African business representatives, diplomatic channels, and international stakeholders toward resolving the crisis. "Nigerian students will not stand idly by while the lives of their compatriots are endangered," the statement concluded.

The development comes as the Nigerian Senate approved a high-level fact-finding mission to South Africa led by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, with lawmakers threatening economic sanctions against South African firms if the situation does not improve. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has confirmed that at least 130 Nigerians have registered for voluntary repatriation from South Africa amid the escalating tensions.

#Xenophobia #NANS #SouthAfrica #MTN #MultiChoice #PrimeBriefMedia