The Federal Government has demanded a thorough investigation and justice following the deaths of two Nigerians in separate incidents in South Africa, as anger continues to mount over the alleged killing and maltreatment of Nigerians in the country.
The victims, identified as Bishop Michael Fakunle and James Nwankwo, died in separate incidents on September 4 and 5 respectively.
Fakunle, an indigene of Iye in Ilejemeje Local Government Area of Ekiti State, was reportedly shot dead by unknown assailants at his residence in Johannesburg after allegedly receiving a series of threats.
Nwankwo, on the other hand, reportedly died following what was described as “gruesome interrogation techniques” allegedly used by officers of the South African Police Service.
The deaths have renewed concerns over the safety of Nigerians in South Africa, particularly against the backdrop of allegations of xenophobia, police brutality and attacks on African immigrants.
Nigeria’s ambassador-designate to South Africa, Femi Fani-Kayode, said the two victims were the seventh and eighth Nigerians allegedly killed in the country this year.
Fani-Kayode, a former Minister of Aviation, further alleged that four of the eight Nigerians were killed by South African police officers.
He said more than 100 Nigerians had allegedly been killed in South Africa between 2022 and 2026, with over 30 of the deaths allegedly involving personnel of the South African Police Service and South African Defence Force.
“What is most disturbing is the fact that despite our constant expressions of concern about this disturbing state of affairs, not one person has been arrested, detained, prosecuted or brought to justice for any of these heinous crimes,” he said.
The development has already triggered diplomatic and political reactions in Nigeria.
The National Assembly on Friday suspended all official visits to South Africa and directed lawmakers and officials to boycott legislative activities hosted or organised by South African authorities until further notice.
However, South Africa’s Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola, said his government had not received any official communication about the boycott.
Speaking with SABC News, Lamola said the decision, at that stage, did not affect bilateral relations between Nigeria and South Africa.
“We have not received any official communication in that regard, but our understanding is that it is the National Assembly of Nigeria, and it does not, at this stage, affect the bilateral relations between the two countries,” he said.
Lamola said South Africa remained willing to engage with Nigeria over issues affecting nationals of both countries.
He disclosed that Nigeria had previously supplied South African authorities with a list of about 100 Nigerians reportedly killed in the country, adding that the cases had been verified and remained subject to discussions between both governments.
Meanwhile, the South African Consul-General in Lagos, Prof. Bobby Moroe, declined to comment directly on the latest deaths when contacted, saying responses would come from the government headquarters in Pretoria.
As of Sunday night, no response had been received.
The killings have also generated angry reactions from Nigerians on social media, with some calling for tougher diplomatic and economic measures against South Africa.
However, others cautioned against allowing legitimate concerns over attacks on Nigerians to degenerate into hatred against South Africans as a people.
The President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, South Africa, Dr ABC Okokoh, said attacks against Nigerians had been a longstanding concern, alleging that Nigerians were particularly vulnerable to high-handed treatment by security personnel.
He said several cases involving alleged killings of Nigerians by security officials had stalled, leaving families of victims without justice.
Similarly, the President of the Association of Yorubas in Diaspora, South Africa, Dr Olusola Agbeniyi, expressed concern over what he described as inadequate coverage of attacks against Nigerians by the South African media.
Agbeniyi urged the South African Government to take decisive action against groups promoting xenophobia, stressing that immigration enforcement remained the responsibility of government agencies.
The President-General of the Nigerian Union South Africa, Dr Smart Nwobi, also demanded immediate and transparent investigations into the deaths.
Nwobi said anyone found culpable, whether a civilian, police officer or other security official, must face the law.
“NUSA will not remain silent while Nigerian lives are lost and justice is delayed or denied,” he said.
He urged South African authorities to provide concrete action rather than statements of sympathy, insisting that Nigerian nationals must be protected under South African law.
Reacting to the development, the Federal Government expressed shock over the deaths and demanded justice for Fakunle and Nwankwo.
In a statement, spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Oluwafemi Adeniyi, called on relevant South African authorities to immediately commence thorough and transparent investigations into the circumstances surrounding the two deaths.
“The Federal Government of Nigeria calls on the relevant South African authorities to immediately commence thorough and transparent investigations into the circumstances surrounding the two killings with a view to ensuring that those responsible for the murder are identified and brought to justice in accordance with the law,” he said.
The Federal Government said it expected the matter to receive the attention and urgency required.
