Normal business activities were disrupted at Lugbe area in Abuja on Wednesday, when hundreds of protesters were repelled from attacking Shoprite edifice situated in the area.
At about 8.55am, armed policemen and other security agents deployed to protect the place were seen running after some of the protesters (mostly youths), who were apparently on a revenge mission against xenophobic attack, which has claimed the lives of many Nigerians living in South Africa, with their shops being looted.
The clashes which is still on-going as at the time of filing this story has resulted to traffic-hold up along the ever-busy airport road.
The snarl in vehicular movement could be noticed from police sign-board along the road up to the Cheka bus-stop pedestrian bridge.
The encounter led to firing of tear gas by the policemen, while the protesters retaliated by throwing stones and all manners of pellets in defence.
Some of the protesters went as far as cordoning off service lane portion of the road where they started making a bonfire, thereby making mobility to be difficult for motorists and passer-by alike.
The situation was so chaotic that every passer-by had to scamper to safety for fear of stray bullets as several attempts to demobilize the protesters was proven herculean.
When Blueprintreporter was leaving the scene, more personnel were seen being deployed to secure the facilities and prevent a reprisal attack on presumed businesses owned by South Africans.
A passer-by and eye witness, who preferred anonymity, told our reporter that the show of anger being exhibited by Nigerians back home was mere solidarity capable of making a big statement.
He said, “Unlike before when they will kill Nigerians and it would just go like that. This time a very big statement is being made and that is why you see some of South African investment and facilities like DSTV, Shoprite and MTN being protected,”
