Xenophobia: MTN Nigeria Laments Attacks On Facilities, Shuts Down Stores, Centres

The management of Africa’s telecommunications giant, MTN Nigeria Plc, on Wednesday said it is shutting down all of its stores and service centres to ensure the safety and security of its staff, customers and partners in the wake of the retaliation for the ongoing xenophobic attacks on Nigerians and their businesses in South Africa, its home country.
In the statement to the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) by Uto Ukpanah, its company secretary, MTN Nigeria said the closure which will remain till further notice, is due to confirmed reports of attacks on its facilities in Lagos, Ibadan (Oyo State), Uyo (Akwa Ibom).
While condemning any acts of violence, prejudice, and xenophobia, the company expressed commitment “to ensuring a peaceful, harmonious and respectful relationship with all communities in Nigeria and across Africa.”
The company said it is engaging all relevant authorities, urging “them to act swiftly to reduce tension in South Africa and Nigeria.”
Reports say that the office had earlier been shut during the day after protesters attempted to attack it but were resisted by security operatives, and that the attackers regrouped at night and set the office ablaze on Tuesday, with firefighters arriving after much havoc had been done. They, however, tried in preventing the inferno from spreading to other buildings.
In a statement on Tuesday, MTN Nigeria condemned in strong terms “hate, prejudice, and xenophobia,” while reiterating its “unequivocal condemnation of all violence.
“We seek to connect people, bring people together and provide a platform for everyone’s voice to be heard. We are against all forms of bigotry and discrimination; they should have no place in society.
“Everyone has the right to a world where their rights and freedoms are respected — the right to live and earn a living, freely, safely and protected by the law,” the statement added.

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