NAN-H-142
Refuge
By Precious Akutamadu
Port Harcourt, Feb. 23, 2017 (NAN) The Nigerian community in South Africa on Thursday urged the Nigerian Mission in that country to provide refuge for women and children, ahead of a proposed march by South Africans .
The President, Nigeria Union, Mr Ikechukwu Anyene, and Secretary, Adetola Olubajo, made the request in a letter to the Nigerian Mission in South Africa.
The letter stated that the union was aware of the proposed march in Pretoria on Friday, adding that it could turn violent.
Nigerians, it said, were still living in fear because of inadequate protection by the police.
“ We are requesting that women and children that are Nigerian citizens living in Pretoria West and its environs should be allowed to take refuge at the High Commission on Friday.
“ We are making this request to ensure their safety as the protest march may turn violent,” it said.
It stated that members of the union had accompanied Nigeria`s Consul General in South Africa, Amb. Uche Ajulu-Okeke, on a fact finding visit to the affected areas on Wednesday.
Ajulu-Okeke said after the visit that a contingency arrangement would be made to accommodate Nigerian women and children at the High Commission in Pretoria and Consulate in Johannesburg during the march. (NAN)
PA/MEMO/OJO
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(Edited by Mike Mbonye/Mufutau Ojo)