University students block roads and confront police in Abuja as protests over attacks on Nigerians in South Africa intensify

University students protesting renewed xenophobic attacks against Nigerians in South Africa shut down the headquarters of MTN Nigeria in Abuja on Friday, blocking major access roads and confronting security personnel as they demanded stronger action from both the Nigerian and South African governments.

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The demonstration, organised by student activists, temporarily disrupted activities around the telecommunications company’s headquarters, with protesters occupying access routes and chanting solidarity songs while calling for justice for Nigerians reportedly killed or attacked in South Africa.

Security operatives mounted barricades around the area and attempted to prevent the protesters from advancing, leading to tense but largely restrained confrontations.

The protest came amid heightened diplomatic tensions following fresh reports of xenophobic violence in South Africa, which have sparked widespread condemnation across Nigeria and renewed calls for stronger diplomatic measures to protect Nigerian citizens abroad.

Earlier this week, the House of Representatives urged the Federal Government to adopt tougher diplomatic measures against South Africa following the reported killings of Nigerians and other African nationals.

Carrying placards and Nigerian flags, the students accused South African authorities of failing to adequately protect foreign nationals despite repeated assurances.

The demonstrators also questioned why South African-owned businesses operating in Nigeria should continue normal operations while Nigerians were allegedly facing violent attacks abroad.

One protester said, “We are here to register our anger over the continued killing of Nigerians in South Africa. We demand justice and concrete action to stop these attacks.”

The protest briefly affected vehicular movement around the business district as police officers formed cordons to control the crowd and prevent the demonstration from spreading to adjoining roads.

Witnesses said the atmosphere became tense when some protesters attempted to move beyond the security barricades, although officers succeeded in maintaining order without any immediate reports of serious injuries or arrests.

The demonstration follows earlier warnings by student leaders that South African-linked businesses, including MTN and MultiChoice, could become focal points for peaceful protests unless decisive measures were taken to address the recurring attacks on Nigerians in South Africa.

The Nigeria Police Force has previously appealed to Nigerians not to resort to reprisals against South African nationals or businesses, stressing that grievances should be expressed peacefully and within the law.

“While concerns about attacks on Nigerians in South Africa are understandable, the public is strongly advised not to take the law into their own hands,” the police said in an earlier advisory.

Friday’s protest reflects growing public frustration over recurring xenophobic violence that has strained relations between Africa’s two largest economies for more than a decade.

Major outbreaks in 2008, 2015, 2019 and more recently have resulted in deaths, injuries and the destruction of businesses belonging to foreign nationals, prompting repeated diplomatic engagements between Abuja and Pretoria.

Although South African authorities have consistently condemned xenophobic violence and pledged to prosecute those responsible, Nigerian groups have continued to demand stronger protection for their citizens and more visible accountability for perpetrators.

Also read: Evacuated Nigerians arrive in Lagos after South Africa xenophobic crisis

The latest demonstration underscores the emotional impact the attacks continue to have on many Nigerians, particularly students and youth groups who say lasting solutions require both decisive law enforcement and sustained diplomatic engagement.