Nigerian Protester Killed As Nigerian Police Officers Prevent An Attack On A Shoprite In Abuja

South African-owned Shoprite has been targeted by Nigerian protesters in protest against xenophobic attacks on Nigerians living in South Africa (Naija News)

The protesters burnt car tires and set a billboard on fire as Police enhances security in Abuja.
Officers of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) were on a mission to stop Nigerian protesters from attacking a South African-owned Shoprite store in Lugbe, Abuja on Wednesday, September 4, 2019.

This violent demonstration was in reaction to the ongoing xenophobic attacks on Nigerians living in South Africa since the past three days.
South African mobs had launched attacks on foreigners, including Nigerians, and looted and burnt their places of business in suburbs of Johannesburg and surrounding areas on Sunday, September 1, 2019, and Monday, September 2, according to PulseNews.

Many Nigerians were angered by the attack and have planned for a boycott of South African businesses, like Shoprite, MTN offices operating in Nigeria.

Read also Nigeria's President Muhammadu Buhari sent a special envoy to South African President

This led to the vandalisation and looting of a Shoprite store in Lagos and several other stores, including those owned by Nigerians, late on Tuesday, September 3.
And this has caused a life of a Nigerian protester as he was gunned down by the Nigerian Police.
Watch the video 👇👇👇

When NPF officers stopped protesters from gaining access to the closed Shoprite store on Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Road in Lugbe on Wednesday, the mob burnt tyres along the road.

The NPF officers fired tear gas canisters at the protesters to disperse them, but the demonstration continued according to PulseNews.

In a statement by Shoprite Nigeria, the retail franchise said it's 'highly concerned' by acts of violence against foreign nationals that sporadically flare up in South Africa and the resultant rhetoric of intolerance that is now being levelled against South Africans living in Nigeria.

"As a company with deep African roots who employs thousands of African nationals and most importantly works to bring low prices to 14 countries outside of South Africa, we would like to see an end to xenophobia across the continent.
"Shoprite appeals to the general public of South Africa and Nigeria to protect the human dignity and safety of all people living in both countries," the statement read.

Shoprite said it remains committed to working with relevant groups to ensure decisive action is taken against those involved in violent crimes and intimidation against foreign nationals.

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Nigerians have battled xenophobic attacks in South Africa for years, with at least 127 believed to have been killed over the past three years.
The South African Police Service (SAPS) disclosed on Tuesday that five people were killed in the recent spate of violence, although their nationalities were not revealed.

A total of 189 arrests have also been effected since Sunday for criminal acts including public violence, malicious damage to property, and theft.

South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa has condemned the attacks and called for unity.
"The citizens of our country want to live in harmony; whatever concerns or grievances we may have, we need to handle them in a democratic way. He said

"There can be no justification for any South African to attack people from other countries,"

Nigeria's President Muhammadu Buhari has also sent a special envoy to South Africa to express his displeasure with the fresh attacks.