A giant mast belonging to telecommunications giant, MTN located along Abacha Road, in Mararaba, a suburb of Abuja has been brought down unknown persons in Abuja on Wednesday.
Billboards and masts belonging to MTN have also been set on fire around Lugbe, Abuja.
Billboard and MTN mast burnt in Lugbe, Abuja. #WeNoGetPresident#SayNoToXenophobiapic.twitter.com/ebBcf1FWGf
— Bello King Khan? (@Bellokingkhan) September 4, 2019
The attack which appeared to be a reprisal to the killings of Nigerians and other foreigners living in South Africa occurred just before the arrival of security personnel in the early hours of Wednesday.
The reprisal attacks also affected business outfits linked to South Africa in various locations in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja.
The outfits including the Regional MTN Nigeria office located at the Maitama District zone of the town, MTN offices in Kubwa, Wuse and Gwagwalada among others have so far been shut down.
Also, the popular Shoprite outlets at Wise zone 4, 5, airport road/Lugbe, Jabi, Apo, were shut down for the fear of possible attacks.
It was gathered that three vehicles belonging to the Nigerian Police Force were vandalised by protesters who stormed the Shoprite located on airport road, Abuja.
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An eyewitness who spoke to Tribune Online said, “the angry youths, who were protesting against the killings of their fellow Nigerians in South Africa, smashed the windscreen of the vehicles despite the heavy presence of the security personnel in the area.
“The demonstrators, therefore, relocated to the Federal Housing junction after being demobilised at Shoprite bus-stop where they vandalised the vehicles.”
However, the Commissioner of Police-in-charge of the FCT Police Command, CP Bala Ciroma has ordered a massive development of police personnel within the Command and to keep watch over the affected business outfits.
A Senior Police officer who spoke with the Tribune Online in confidence said that the action became necessary so as to prevent further attacks.
Protesters storms shoprite ABUJA (Lugbe)… We are in trouble in this country pic.twitter.com/WNbSQ54EiI
— Mr Muhammad (MPR)?? (@muhammadtajude7) September 4, 2019
Kindly retweet this. stay off Lugbe Airport Road for today . Please stay save mobs and police everywhere pic.twitter.com/VXvRXnmXIU
— Ahmmedoc (@ahmmedoc) September 4, 2019
Happening now @Shoprite_NG outlet at the Novare Gateway, Lugbe is under attack Security operatives have been deployed around the Airport road presently. pic.twitter.com/2fta5QsI19
— OGA Nelson (@theoga_nelson) September 4, 2019
VIDEO: MTN advertisement billboard, Abuja’s biggest billboard, at Lugbe Federal Housing bridge being destroyed by protesting Nigerians.
Heavy police presence and shots being fired sporadically to disperse protesters in Abuja. #XenophobiaInSouthAfrica #SayNoToXenophobicAttacks pic.twitter.com/2C87EeY6UO
— Viral Trendz (@TheViralTrendz) September 4, 2019
and then