The FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Bello, on Wednesday cautioned residents not to retaliate by attacking South African nationals or their businesses.
Bello made the call in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Anthony Ogunleye, on Wednesday in Abuja.
“I’m appealing to the FCT residents most especially the students and youths not to carry out retaliatory attacks on South African Nationals in the FCT over the recent xenophobic attacks on Nigerians in South Africa.
“The Federal Government is already exploiting diplomatic channels to address the issue; therefore, residents should allow those efforts to succeed.
“Attacking or engaging in vandalism will ultimately have negative economic consequences for the Nigerian economy and employees of those organisations, ” Bello said.
He also assured the South African nationals of their safety in the territory, adding that it was the pleasure of the FCT Administration to have them living and working in the territory.
Bello, therefore, appealed to the FCT residents to remain calm and go about their lawful activities
He warned that law enforcement agencies had been mobilised to forestall any breakdown of law, adding anybody found instigating or participating in any acts of violence or vandalism would face the wrath of the law. (NAN)
