Senator Adams Oshiomole has urged the federal government revoke the licences of South African-owned businesses including MTN and DSTV, and evacuate Nigerians facing xenophobic attacks in South Africa to take over the jobs.

Mr Oshiomole made the request during Senate plenary on Tuesday. 

 His statement was in reaction to ongoing xenophobic attacks by black South Africans on Nigerians and other black Africans.

The attackers who have been on the rampage for weeks accused black Africans of being in South Africa illegally, taking jobs from locals and committing crimes especially drugs trafficking.

In reaction to the xenophobic attacks, the federal government commenced plans to evacuate Nigerians in South Africa who are willing to return home.

Nigeria’s foreign affairs minister, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, said 130 applicants had already registered for the exercise, adding that the number was expected to rise.

She also expressed President Bola Tinubu’s concern about the xenophobic attacks by South Africans, while condemning the violence against foreign nationals and demonstrations characterised by “xenophobic rhetoric, hate speeches and incendiary anti-migrant statements”.

Reacting to the development on Tuesday, Mr Oshiomole said, “We call on the federal government to revoke the DSTV (licence) which is also a South African company that is carting away millions of dollars, and even resorting to practices that’ll not be accepted in South Africa. I don’t want this Senate to be shedding tears to sympathise with those who have died, we didn’t come here to shed tears. If you hit me, I’ll hit you. I think it’s appropriate in diplomacy.”

The senator, who was a former president of the Nigeria Labour Congress, urged the federal government to retaliate via economic sanctions against South Africa. 

Mr Oshiomole said, “It’s an economic struggle; what the black South Africans are saying is that Nigerians are taking their jobs; okay, Nigerians come home and take over MTN and DSTV jobs. When we hit back, the South African president will not only talk; he will go on his knees to recognise that Nigerians cannot be intimidated, and we do not condone anymore lives being lost. If a crime has been committed under the South African laws, they have the right to bring such person to justice, but to kill our people as if we’re helpless, we’re not.”

Earlier, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa condemned the attacks, but cautioned foreigners to respect local laws.

Meanwhile, the federal government also summoned South Africa’s acting high commissioner over the issue.