FG CONDEMNS FRESH KILLINGS OF TWO NIGERIANS IN SOUTH AFRICA, DEMANDS URGENT PROBE

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By ‘Sefiu Ajape

The Federal Government has condemned the killings of two Nigerian nationals in South Africa and called for thorough, transparent and expeditious investigations into the circumstances surrounding their deaths.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in a statement signed by its spokesperson, Oluwafemi Adeniyi, on Friday, identified the deceased as Bishop Taiwo Michael Fakunle and James Uchechukwu Nwankwo.

According to the ministry, Fakunle was murdered in his residence in Kensington, Johannesburg, on September 4, 2026, while Nwankwo was killed following what the government described as “gruesome interrogation techniques” allegedly used by officers of the South African Police Service in Sommerset, Cape Town, on September 5.

The government said the deaths occurred amid widespread xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks affecting foreigners, particularly Africans, in South Africa.

It expressed concern over the safety of Nigerians and other foreigners in the country, as well as the conduct of law enforcement officers.

“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.

The Federal Government urged the relevant South African authorities to immediately commence investigations into the two deaths and ensure that those responsible were identified and prosecuted.

“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,” the ministry said.

The government also expressed concern that South African law enforcement officers, who are responsible for protecting lives and property, were allegedly contributing to the fragile situation by using interrogation techniques that had resulted in the deaths of foreigners.

Nigeria further recalled its diplomatic efforts to address xenophobia and Afrophobia in South Africa, noting that the Memorandum of Understanding on the Establishment of an Early Warning Mechanism, which emerged from bilateral discussions, had been signed by Nigeria but was yet to be signed by South Africa.

The ministry said Nigeria had also formally raised recurring xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks in South Africa before the Authority of Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS and the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union.

It added that the Federal Government was considering other concrete measures to secure the cooperation of the South African authorities on the issue.

Meanwhile, the government extended its condolences to the families, friends and the wider Nigerian community in South Africa over the deaths of Fakunle and Nwankwo.

It prayed for the peaceful repose of their souls and for strength for their loved ones to bear the loss.