The Surulere Police Division, on Wednesday, barricaded the Adeniran Ogunsanya-Bode Thomas inter-section in Surulere, Lagos State, to prevent further attacks on South African companies located within the axis.
A policeman said that they blocked the roads so that they would be able to properly monitor occurrences around there.
He added that they would be able to maintain law and order within the vicinity.
Some hoodlums had late on Tuesday attacked Shoprite Mall, M$G store, Affordable Boutique, MTN and Multi choice offices in the area.
The attack was to protest the killings of some Nigerian youths in South Africa as well as the destruction of other Nigerians’ properties by South Africans.
As at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, Shoprite, First Bank, Leisure Mall, MTN and some other shops within the Adeniran-Bode Thomas axis in Surulere had not opened to the public following the development.
Some of the shops had fewer stocks on display.
However, none of the MTN officials was ready to grant interview to ascertain the extent of damage.
“We cannot talk to the press on behalf of the organisation,” one of the staff said.
Following attack on Nigerians living in South Africa, the Nigeria Police Force, on Wednesday, beefed up security presence around Shoprite Lugbe, along the Airport Road, Abuja.
Shoprite is a South Africa retail company operating in Nigeria as well as other African Countries.
The Federal Capital Territory Police Commissioner, Mr Bala Ciroma sent special force to forestall any reprisal attack.
Some residents of Abuja were already gathering in their numbers to attack the Shoprite in an attempt to revenge the ill treatment of Nigerians in South Africa.
Speaking in a radio programme, Ciroma said that the police had already deployed a significant number of its security personnel to curtail any reprisal attack.
At the mall, some stern-looking policemen were already on ground to quell any reprisal attack by the mob.
The attacks on Nigerians in South Africa angered many Nigerians who have been calling for a boycott of South African businesses in the country.
President Muhammadu Buhari had sent a special envoy to the South African President, Mr Cyril Ramaphosa, to register his displeasure over the killing of Nigerians in South Africa.
Buhari expressed deep concerned about reported attacks on Nigerian citizens and property in South Africa.
Also, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo said the attack on Nigerians by South Africans was unfortunate, adding that Nigeria and Nigerians invested a great deal in the pulling down of apartheid.
He said that the acts of xenophobia were contrary to the ideals that South African leaders, including incumbent president, fought for and for which many gave their lives.
In Enugu, the state Police Command has beefed up security over possible reprisal attacks by residents of Enugu and its environs on South African businesses.
The Command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Ebere Amaraizu, said on Wednesday in Enugu that the command had increased patrol in the state, especially within Enugu metropolis.
Amaraizu said that the command had also deployed more policemen to locations where South African-owned businesses exist in the state.
“The increased patrols and deployment to strategic locations of some businesses is to ensure that nothing untoward happen.
“The command is also appealing to residents not to take the law into their hands.
“But we expect that all will be law abiding even as the Federal Government is currently doing something on the development,’’ he said.
The spokesman reminded residents that those working at these South African business concerns within the state “are our brothers and sisters”.
There had been increased police personnel and other covert security personnel deployed to Shoprite Mall along Enugu-Abakaliki Road; MTN office in Zik Avenue and Multi-Choice office along Ogui Road among others.
The anticipated attacks followed xenophobic attacks on Nigerians and other African nationals and their businesses by South Africans.
In Kwara State, normal business activities resumed at the Kwara Mall on Wednesday after police took over the edifice on Tuesday evening.
The Kwara State Police Command deployed its personnel to secure the facilities and prevent a reprisal attack on presumed businesses owned by South Africans.
Shop owners at the mall were told to close their shops latest 8 p.m to prevent hoodlums from looting the mall.
One of the shop owners, who preferred anonymity, said that the presence of Police at the facility would not scare customers away.
He said Nigerians protest was supposed to be against the government and its lack of decisive action, not against businesses that benefit the people.
“You burn and loot properties of South African businesses forgetting that they are insured and it is Nigerian insurance companies that will pay for it,” he said.
Meanwhile, superstar singer, Tiwa Savage, has pulled out of her upcoming performance in South Africa, following the xenophobic attacks on Nigerians.
Reacting to the attacks, Tiwa, who was billed to perform at the DStv delicious festival on September 21 announced that she was boycotting the show in protest.
On Twitter @tiwasavage, she wrote, “I refuse to watch the barbaric butchering of my people in SA. This is SICK.
“For this reason, I will NOT be performing at the upcoming DStv delicious Festival in Johannesburg on September 21st.
“My prayers are with all the victims and families affected by this,” she said.
Mixed reactions have trailed her announcement. While she has received massive support for her bold decision, some fans have continued to troll the singer.
@Kellzamadi said, “I just developed a special kind and love for @TiwaSavage this is remarkable to say the list.”
@Real Jae tweeted, “We didn’t Call you a Queen for Nothing Tiwa. You are an asset and you are fearless.”
A South African, @ThusoMatsobane tweeted, “No one has butchered your people but its fine. Thanks for taking a stand.”
Tiwa replied that she was boycotting the show, not just for Nigerians killed but for other foreigners that have suffered xenophobic attacks.
She said, “Killing any one that is African are my people whether they are Nigerians or not.”
Popular comedian, Bright Okpocha (Basketmouth), has also cancelled his appearance at the upcoming Comic Choice Awards in South Africa.
He made the announcement via his Instagram page @basketmouth, he wrote, “I am not sure how and when we got here.
“I won’t be attending the Comic Choice Awards this weekend in South Africa as scheduled.
“It might sound like a whisper but together, our voices and the right actions will make a true difference and real change can begin. But for today, together we stand,” he said.
As conversations around the attacks continue, more Nigerian celebrities are using their influence to speak against xenophobia.
