FG Condemns Killings of Nigerians in South Africa, Seeks Justice

The Federal Government has condemned the killing of two Nigerians in South Africa and demanded a thorough, transparent, and expeditious investigation into the circumstances surrounding their deaths.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs made the demand in a statement issued by its spokesperson, Mr Oluwafemi Adeniyi, over the weekend in Abuja.

The demand follows reports of the recent killings of two Nigerian nationals — Bishop Taiwo Fakunle and Mr James Uchechukwu Nwankwo. According to the ministry, Fakunle was murdered at his residence in Kensington, Johannesburg, on September 4, while Nwankwo was killed the following day in Somerset, Cape Town.

The ministry lamented that these killings occurred at a time when foreigners — particularly Africans — continue to grapple with the devastating impact of widespread xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks in South Africa. "This raises questions about the safety of foreigners in the country and the commitment of the South African authorities to curbing targeted attacks against foreigners," the statement read. "It is extremely worrisome that law enforcement agents, saddled with the responsibility of securing lives and property, are exacerbating an already fragile situation by resorting to unacceptable interrogation techniques that have frequently led 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 called on relevant South African authorities to immediately commence thorough and transparent investigations into the circumstances surrounding both killings, with a view to ensuring that those responsible are identified and brought to justice in accordance with the law. "Nigeria expects that this matter would be accorded the attention and urgency required. Nigeria values constructive dialogue as a means of resolving differences and has consistently adopted this approach in our engagement with South Africa in an effort to address the irritants of xenophobia and Afrophobia," the statement added.

The Nigerian government further expressed concern that a proposed mechanism designed to help both countries respond to emerging threats has yet to be fully implemented by South African authorities. According to the ministry, a Memorandum of Understanding on the Establishment of an Early Warning Mechanism — which emerged from bilateral dialogue between Nigeria and South Africa — has already been signed by Nigeria. "It is yet to be signed by South Africa," the statement noted.

The ministry recalled that Nigeria had formally raised the recurring waves of xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks in South Africa before the Authority of Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS, adding that a similar formal complaint remains before the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union. "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 ministry said.

The Federal Government extended its heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families, praying for the peaceful repose of the souls of the late Fakunle and Nwankwo, and expressed hope that their families, friends, and the wider Nigerian community in South Africa would find the strength to bear their painful loss.