FG condemns renewed killing of Nigerians in South Africa

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The federal government has condemned the renewed killing of Nigerians in South Africa, demanding thorough, transparent and expeditious investigations into the deaths of two Nigerian nationals in separate incidents.

The ministry of foreign affairs, in a statement signed by its spokesperson, Oluwafemi Adeniyi, on Saturday said the government received with profound shock the reports of the killings of Bishop Taiwo Michael Fakunle and Mr James Uchechukwu Nwankwo.

Fakunle was reportedly murdered at his residence in Kensington, Johannesburg, on September 4, 2026, while Nwankwo was killed a day later in Somerset, Cape Town, following what the ministry described as “gruesome interrogation techniques” allegedly employed by officers of the South African Police Service.

The Nigerian government said the latest incidents were particularly disturbing against the backdrop of recurring xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks targeting foreigners, especially Africans, in South Africa.

It said the killings had raised fresh concerns about the safety of Nigerians and other foreigners in the country, as well as the commitment of South African authorities to curbing attacks against them.

The government was also concerned that law enforcement agents, who were saddled with the responsibility of protecting lives and property, could allegedly resort to unacceptable interrogation techniques that had reportedly contributed to the deaths of foreigners.

“Nigeria views these incidents with grave concern and condemns the killings of Bishop Fakunle and Mr Nwankwo in the strongest terms possible,” the ministry said.

It called on the relevant South African authorities to immediately commence investigations into the circumstances surrounding the two deaths and ensure that those responsible were identified and brought to justice in accordance with the law.

FG said it expected the matter to be accorded the attention and urgency required.

It said it had consistently raised the issue of recurring xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks in South Africa through diplomatic channels, including before the Authority of Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS and the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union.

According to the statement, Nigeria has continued to pursue constructive dialogue with South Africa as a means of resolving differences and addressing irritants in relations between the two countries.

However, the government expressed concern that a Memorandum of Understanding on the Establishment of an Early Warning Mechanism, which emerged from the bilateral dialogue and had already been signed by Nigeria, was yet to be signed by South Africa.

It said the Federal Government was actively considering other concrete measures to secure the cooperation of the South African authorities on the matter.

Meanwhile, the government extended its condolences to the families of the two deceased Nigerians and prayed for the peaceful repose of their souls.

It also prayed that their families, friends and the wider Nigerian community in South Africa would find the strength and fortitude to bear the loss.