Xenophobia: Pandemonium As Protesters Storm Airport Road, Target Shoprite
There was pandemonium on Wednesday after aggrieved Nigerians stormed the Musa Yaradua expressway, Abuja in protest of the recent attacks on Nigerians living in South Africa.
Yesterday, protesters massively looted Shoprite mall, a South African-owned property in Lagos in protest of the killing and looting of Nigerians properties in the country.
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Other shops such as PEP and telecoms firm, MTN in Lagos and other states were also attacked.
The attacks and killings have so far led to an outrage on social media, with Nigerians at home and abroad, celebrities and politicians lending their voices on the issue.
The protesters in the FCT burnt tyres and a billboard along the Abuja-airport road, causing a heavy gridlock on the road.
Security officers were however on ground to curtail the situation and prevent them from attacking the mall.
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Speaking with THE WHISTLER, a commuter, Chinma Umeh said the protest was intense as military men had to intervene.
Narrating the incident, she said, “I was in a car, heading to town and a small crow of people were around the popular federal housing Bridge. Another set were chanting there as well.
“I noticed they had set a MTN banner on fire.
“We made our way past them to see a long traffic and smoke from tires burning ahead. Some cars started turning back but the rest of us kept going ahead.
“Some lanky looking boys were still trying to block our routes with tyres but we went past them. That is when we noticed the military cars ahead and saw the soldiers making their way and running past us.
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“People on the side lines kept throwing stones at passing cars. But somehow we made it through! It was not a pleasant experience,” she lamented.
See video below:
