Xenophobic attack: Minister of Interior orders immediate deployment of NSCDC personnel

Following the reprisal attack by Nigerians on some South African investments in some parts of the country recently, the Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola has directed the Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Abdullahi Gana Muhammadu to order an immediate deployment of the Corps personnel across the country to prevent breakdown of law and order.

While handing down the Minister’s directive to the head of operations and other critical stakeholders at the National headquarters in Abuja, the CG called for immediate mobilization of officers and men of the service across the country to avert any crisis that may erupt in the aftermath of the retaliatory attack on some South African companies. The CG who expressed concern on the gradually eroding relationship between the two countries, charged Nigerians to exercise restraint and display maturity in handling the situation.
Gana reiterated that the Minister of Interior is deeply concerned with internal security and well-being of the country as well as the guarantee of safety of lives and properties of persons living within the geographical space of Nigeria.
Gana said he shared the thoughts of the Minister of Interior who condemned the reprisal attack by Nigerians as an expression of anger.
While not justifying the unwarranted killings and maiming of Nigerians by their South African counterparts, the Corps helmsman admonished Nigerians to continue to eschew violence and allow the issues to be resolved through diplomatic channel that is currently being adopted by the government of both countries.
Abdullahi emphasized that the public should note that the Nigerian government is not insensitive to the plights of Nigerians living in South Africa and other parts of the world.
“They are working assiduously to put a stop to this xenophobic attack once and for all”, Gana said.
He however reassured Nigerians that a lot of efforts is being made to protect it’s citizens across the globe and guarantee adequate security for their investments in diaspora.
He also assured that in due course, the result of such action will manifest for all Nigerians to see.
The CG charged his personnel to ensure continuous cooperation with other sister agencies in ensuring safety of local and foreign investments in the country, for the sake of economic development and national prosperity.
He appealed to citizens to be patient with the Federal Governments and not allow the retaliatory attack snowball into national emergency as the situation may be hijacked by hoodlums to cause unnecessary havoc and challenge the peace of the country and that of other peace loving Nigerians.