The Federal Government has condemned the deaths of two Nigerian nationals in South Africa and demanded thorough, transparent and expeditious investigations into the circumstances surrounding their deaths.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in a statement issued in Abuja on Friday, said Bishop Taiwo Michael Fakunle was murdered at his residence in Kensington, Johannesburg, on September 4, 2026, while James Uchechukwu Nwankwo died in Sommerset, Cape Town, on September 5, following what the ministry described as “gruesome interrogation techniques” by officers of the South African Police Service.
The ministry said the incidents were particularly disturbing amid continuing concerns over xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks against foreigners, especially Africans, in South Africa.
“Nigeria views these incidents with grave concern and condemns the killings of Bishop Fakunle and Mr Nwankwo in the strongest terms possible,” the statement said.
It called on the relevant South African authorities to immediately investigate both deaths, identify those responsible and ensure that they are brought to justice in accordance with the law.
The Federal Government also expressed concern that law enforcement personnel responsible for protecting lives and property could themselves be implicated in conduct that allegedly contributed to the death of a Nigerian national.
According to the Foreign Ministry, the latest incidents have raised fresh questions about the safety of foreigners in South Africa and the commitment of authorities to addressing targeted attacks against foreign nationals.
Nigeria said it had consistently pursued dialogue with South Africa to address xenophobia and Afrophobia and pointed to a previously agreed Memorandum of Understanding establishing an Early Warning Mechanism between the two countries.
However, the ministry said the agreement, which Nigeria had signed, was yet to be signed by South Africa.
The Federal Government further disclosed that Nigeria had formally raised recurring xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks in South Africa before the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government and the African Union Assembly.
“As a follow-up to these diplomatic steps, the Government of Nigeria is actively considering other concrete measures to secure the cooperation of the South African authorities on this matter,” the statement said.
The ministry reaffirmed Nigeria’s preference for constructive dialogue in resolving bilateral concerns but stressed the need for effective action to protect Nigerians and other African nationals in South Africa.
It also extended condolences to the families of Fakunle and Nwankwo, as well as their friends and the wider Nigerian community in South Africa.
Source: Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Abuja, Press Statement No. MFA/PR/2026/234, September 11, 2026.
