Another Nigerian man shot dead in South Africa

A Nigerian national identified as Olatunde Olaleye has been shot dead while working at a bar in Pretoria, South Africa, the Nigerian Union in South Africa, NUSA, has disclosed.

It was gathered that Olaleye, a 40-year-old father of two and indigene of Ikere-Ekiti, was killed on September 21 at Spanata Bar and Grills in Mamelodi, Pretoria, according to a report by TheCable.

The President-General of NUSA, Smart Nwobi, said the circumstances surrounding the death were particularly concerning, following reports that Olaleye was allegedly shot by a South African national after an argument over whether a drinking glass could be taken outside the bar.

Nwobi said the suspect reportedly returned to the premises after the shooting and allegedly threatened the management, warning that members of his group would come back.

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He described Olaleye as a husband and father whose death had left his family devastated, while calling for a transparent and impartial investigation into the incident.

“We cannot continue to lose Nigerians under circumstances that leave families devastated and communities traumatised,” Nwobi said.

“We call for a thorough, transparent and impartial investigation into the circumstances surrounding Olaleye’s death and for the law to take its proper course.”

The NUSA leader urged the Nigerian diplomatic mission in South Africa, including the Consulate-General and the High Commission in Pretoria, to strengthen discussions with the South African authorities over the case.

He also called on the mission to use all available diplomatic channels to seek justice and improve the protection of Nigerians living in the country.

Nwobi expressed the union’s sympathy to Olaleye’s wife, his two children and other members of the Nigerian community, while praying for the repose of the deceased’s soul.

He reiterated NUSA’s demand for justice and accountability in connection with the killing.

Olaleye’s death adds to a series of reported cases involving the deaths of Nigerians in South Africa.

Last Wednesday, a Nigerian lecturer at the University of Fort Hare, Ayodele Odularu, was reportedly found dead at her residence in the Eastern Cape Province. Her brother, Gbadebo Odularu, said she died on August 16 at the age of 51.

Earlier, on September 12, Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs disclosed that two Nigerians, Taiwo Fakunle and James Nwankwo, had been killed in separate incidents linked to xenophobic attacks against foreigners in South Africa.

According to the ministry’s spokesperson, Oluwafemi Adeniyi, Fakunle and Nwankwo were killed in separate incidents on September 4 and 5 respectively.

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