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XENOPHOBIA: Sanwo-Olu condemns reprisal attacks, says over 5,000 jobs lost in Lagos

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Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has condemned the attacks on malls following the xenophobic reprisals.

The governor lamented that over 5,000 persons had lost their jobs to the protest against xenophobic attacks on Nigerians living in South Africa.

Recall that Nigerians had staged anti-xenophobia protests across the nation during which business outfits perceived to belong to South Africa were attacked.

A press release signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Gboyega Akosile, said Sanwo-Olu commented on the attack on Saturday when he visited some of the shopping malls that were attacked in Ajah, Surulere and Sangotedo.

“These are jobs where Nigerians are the ones that have been affected. So, we need to be able to take the lessons out of this, be stronger together and be able to take corrective measures to ensure that things like these should certainly not repeat itself in our community,” the governor said.

READ ALSO: Police reacts to alleged bombing of South African embassy in Nigeria

He stated that Lagos State was a safe haven for business and investments, describing the recent attacks on malls in the wake of xenophobic reprisals by “some hoodlums” as reprehensible and condemnable.

He ordered security personnel to step up protection of all facilities so as to prevent them from further attacks.

Speaking to journalists after a tour of the malls, Sanwo-Olu said it was sad that several shops and organisations belonging to Nigerians were affected in these mindless attacks.

He said: “We have seen the amount of enormous destruction in both plazas and the first thing is to condemn in strong terms whatever could have led to this. It is an extensive destruction of people’s property.”

Governor Sanwo-Olu noted that although this xenophobic act took place in South Africa, Nigerians were the ones feeling the hardship and should move to stop such occurrence, while stating that thousands of workers from these businesses had suffered losses as a result of these attacks.

“In both malls, over 5,000 people are out of jobs. These are jobs where Nigerians are the ones that have been affected.”

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