Nigerians have lost N21 million worth of property to looting and burning, envoy reports

Following the latest wave of xenophobic attacks in South Africa, Nigerians resident in the country have lost property worth more than N21 to looting and burning.

This was made known by the Nigerian Consul-General in South Africa, Ambassador Uche Ajulu-Okeke. In an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the envoy said Nigerians had lost over 1.2m Rands (which is equivalent to about N21 million) in looted shops, burnt shops, two burnt mechanic workshops, 11 burnt cars and two stolen cars, among others.

She further said the total cost, which had been compiled by the affected Nigerians, would be sent to the Federal Government for further action.

In her words:

"Nigerians have compiled the cost of the damage to their property and it is totalling about 1.2 million Rand or N21 million, which will be sent to the Federal Government for further action. The Nigerian mission in South Africa is on top of the situation. We are working hard to protect Nigerians in South Africa. Though the task has not been easy but we are trying our best. In one of the hot spots at , near the mission assisted about 50 stranded Nigerians to re-settle. I have also visited the site of the attacks in Johannesburg to assess the damage and it was enormous. I am bringing all Nigerians together so that we work out a vigilance and alert mechanism; they will also tell me what their challenges and issues are"