The Federal Government has condemned the killing of two Nigerian nationals in South Africa, demanding thorough, transparent and expeditious investigations into the circumstances surrounding their deaths.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in a statement issued on Friday by its spokesperson, Oluwafemi Adeniyi, said Nigeria received with profound shock reports of the deaths of Bishop Taiwo Michael Fakunle and Mr. James Uchechukwu Nwankwo.
Bishop Fakunle was reportedly murdered at his residence in Kensington, Johannesburg, on September 4, 2026, while Nwankwo was allegedly killed following what Nigeria described as “gruesome interrogation techniques” by officers of the South African Police Service (SAPS) in Somerset, Cape Town, on September 5.
The Federal Government said the incidents were particularly disturbing given the continuing challenges posed by xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks against foreigners, particularly Africans, in South Africa.
Nigeria expressed concern that the alleged involvement of law enforcement officers in one of the deaths could further undermine confidence in the protection of foreigners and exacerbate an already fragile security environment.
“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,” the statement said.
It urged the authorities to ensure that anyone found responsible is identified and brought to justice in accordance with the law, stressing that the matter should receive the attention and urgency it deserves.
The Federal Government also recalled Nigeria’s longstanding diplomatic efforts to address xenophobia and Afrophobia in South Africa through constructive engagement with the South African government.
It expressed concern that the Memorandum of Understanding establishing an Early Warning Mechanism, which emerged from the bilateral dialogue and has already been signed by Nigeria, remains unsigned by South Africa.
Nigeria further disclosed that it had formally raised the recurring attacks on Nigerians and other Africans 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.
The government said it was now actively considering additional concrete measures to secure greater cooperation from the South African authorities in addressing the situation and protecting Nigerian nationals.
Meanwhile, the Federal Government extended condolences to the families, friends and the wider Nigerian community in South Africa over the deaths of Fakunle and Nwankwo, praying for the peaceful repose of their souls and strength for the bereaved families.
