Two more Nigerians have been killed in South Africa, with the Federal Government condemning the deaths and demanding thorough, transparent and expedited investigations into the circumstances surrounding the incidents.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Bishop Taiwo Michael Fakunle was murdered at his residence in Kensington, Johannesburg, on September 4, 2026.
Two days later, another Nigerian, James Uchechukwu Nwankwo, was allegedly killed after being subjected to what the ministry described as “gruesome interrogation techniques” by officers of the South African Police Service, SAPS, in Somerset, Cape Town.
In a statement signed by the ministry’s spokesperson, Oluwafemi Adeniyi, Nigeria condemned both deaths “in the strongest terms possible”.
The government expressed particular concern that the killings occurred amid continuing xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks targeting foreigners, particularly Africans, in South Africa.
It said the incidents had raised fresh questions about the safety of Nigerians and other foreigners living and doing business in the country, as well as the commitment of South African authorities to preventing targeted attacks.
The alleged involvement of police officers in the death of Nwankwo has further heightened Nigeria’s concerns.
The Foreign Affairs Ministry said law enforcement officers entrusted with protecting lives and property should not become part of a situation that is already threatening the safety of foreigners.
Nigeria has therefore called on the relevant South African authorities to immediately investigate both deaths, identify those responsible and ensure that anyone found culpable is prosecuted in accordance with the law.
For the families of the two victims, however, the diplomatic assurances cannot bring back their loved ones.
The latest deaths have again brought to the fore the vulnerability of Nigerians living in South Africa, where recurring xenophobic attacks have continued to strain relations between the two countries.
Nigeria said it had consistently favoured dialogue with South Africa as a way of resolving differences and improving the protection of Nigerians and other Africans in the country.
It disclosed that a Memorandum of Understanding establishing an Early Warning Mechanism, designed to strengthen cooperation and provide early responses to threats against foreigners, had already been signed by Nigeria but was yet to be signed by South Africa.
The Federal Government said it had also raised the recurring attacks against foreigners with the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, and the African Union, AU.
It added that it was considering “other concrete measures” to secure greater cooperation from South African authorities and improve the safety of Nigerians in the country.
The ministry extended its condolences to the families, friends and wider Nigerian community mourning Bishop Fakunle and Nwankwo, while calling for justice and accountability over their deaths.
For many Nigerians following the developments, the demand is straightforward: living and working abroad should not become a death sentence simply because a person is a foreigner.
