Protesters burn MTN mast in Abuja, surround Shoprite Lugbe over xenophobic attacks

The MTN office located in Karu, a suburb of Abuja, has been
vandalised by some Nigerians protesting against the xenophobic
attacks on fellow citizens in South Africa.

There was also pandemonium at Shoprite, Lugbe, along airport
road, Abuja, as police fired teargas canisters to stop a mob from
setting the shopping mall on fire.

The protesters, who were on the verge of setting the building
ablaze, were stopped by anti-riot policemen.

They, however, set bonfires on the expressway, around the
Shoprite outlet, and insisted on not leaving the area until they
accomplished their mission. More policemen have been deployed in
the area to restore law and order.

A traffic congestion has built up on the busy road as hundreds
of commuters are caught in the fracas.

There have been reprisal attacks targeting South African
businesses in the country since the latest round of assaults on
Nigerian citizens in South Africa.

On Tuesday, violence broke out at the Shoprite outlet in Lekki,
resulting in the death of one protester.

The MTN office in Bodija, Ibadan was set on fire in the string
of protests against targeting South African businesses.

The police said they have reinforced security around some South
African business interests across the country to forestall
attacks