The Nigerian Consulate-General in Johannesburg has raised fresh concerns over the safety of Nigerians in South Africa following the deaths of three Nigerian nationals in separate incidents within four days.
The Consul-General, Ambassador Ninikanwa Okey-Uche, disclosed this in a statement issued on Monday, saying the three Nigerians were killed between September 18 and 21, 2026.
The victims were identified as Kenechukwu Christopher Igwemmadú, Olaniyi Olaleye Olatunde and Christian Hillary Nnaemeka.
According to the Consulate, Igwemmadú allegedly died on September 18 after jumping from a building while attempting to escape what it described as police harassment and brutality at Kenlin Court on Douglas Street, Central Business District, Bloemfontein.
Two days later, Olatunde, a security guard at Spanata Bar and Grills Night Club in Mamelodi East, Pretoria, was allegedly shot during an altercation with a South African customer.
The Consulate said the incident occurred after Olatunde attempted to stop the customer from leaving the club with a cup belonging to the establishment.
It alleged that the customer pulled out a firearm and shot Olatunde in the lower part of his body, causing severe blood loss.
The suspect reportedly fled the scene but later returned to the club, where the Consulate alleged that he threatened witnesses who might identify or report him to the police.
Olatunde was rushed to Mamelodi Hospital but reportedly died from his injuries and was pronounced dead by doctors on September 21.
The third case involved Nnaemeka, who the Consulate alleged was assaulted and tortured during an operation by members of the Sizok’thola content creation team led by South African politician and investigative content creator, Xolani Khumalo, in Primrose, Ekurhuleni.
The Consulate alleged that Nnaemeka was arrested and assaulted despite the team allegedly finding nothing incriminating on him.
It said he later attempted to escape by jumping over a fence but collapsed from injuries and exhaustion.
He was rushed to hospital but was pronounced dead on arrival, according to the statement.
The Consulate also recalled the February 9, 2026, killing of another Nigerian, Emeka Clement Uzor, in Windsor East, Randburg, allegedly involving Khumalo’s reality television crew.
It expressed concern over what it described as a pattern of violence against Nigerians and other foreign nationals in South Africa.
The Consulate called on South African authorities to thoroughly investigate the deaths and ensure that anyone found responsible faces justice.
It stressed that allegations of wrongdoing should not lead to extrajudicial action, noting that suspects should be presumed innocent and given a fair hearing in court.
The Consulate urged Nigerians in South Africa to remain calm, law-abiding and security-conscious amid reported threats, xenophobic attacks and insecurity affecting vulnerable African foreigners.
Meanwhile, Nigeria’s High Commissioner to South Africa, Femi Fani-Kayode, said the latest incidents had increased the number of Nigerians killed in South Africa in 2026 to 12.
Fani-Kayode also claimed that 112 Nigerians had been killed in South Africa since 2022, including 32 allegedly killed by members of the South African security forces.
He called on the South African authorities to protect Nigerians and ensure that those responsible for the deaths are brought to justice.
The Nigerian Consulate-General extended condolences to the families of the three deceased Nigerians and reaffirmed its commitment to the welfare and fair treatment of Nigerians in South Africa.
