Nigeria has demanded urgent and transparent investigations into the deaths of two nationals in South Africa amid renewed concerns over the safety of Nigerians and other Africans in the country.
The Federal Government made the demand in a statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson, Oluwafemi Adeniyi, following the reported deaths of Bishop Taiwo Michael Fakunle and James Uchechukwu Nwankwo.
According to the ministry, Fakunle was killed at his residence in Kensington, Johannesburg, on September 4, 2026, while Nwankwo died in Somerset, Cape Town, on September 5. The government said Nwankwo’s death followed “gruesome interrogation techniques” allegedly used by South African Police Service officers.
Nigeria condemned the deaths and called on South African authorities to investigate and prosecute anyone found responsible.
“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 expressed concern over continuing xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks against foreigners, particularly Africans, and urged South African authorities to ensure the protection of lives and property.
Nigeria also noted that an Early Warning Mechanism designed to help both countries respond to emerging threats had not been fully implemented. While Nigeria has signed the memorandum of understanding establishing the mechanism, South Africa is yet to do so.
The Federal Government said it had previously raised concerns over xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks at ECOWAS and African Union levels and was considering further steps to secure greater cooperation from South African authorities.
Meanwhile, former Aviation Minister Femi Fani-Kayode raised additional concerns over the safety of Nigerians in the country.
Reacting on X, Fani-Kayode claimed that eight Nigerians had been killed in South Africa since the beginning of 2026, including four deaths allegedly involving South African Police Service officers.
“Bishop Fakunle and Mr Nwankwo are the 7th and 8th Nigerians to have been murdered in South Africa this year alone,” he claimed.
He also alleged that more than 100 Nigerians had been killed in South Africa since 2022, with over 30 cases allegedly involving the South African Police Service and South African Defence Force.
Fani-Kayode urged South African authorities to protect Nigerians and prosecute those responsible for attacks, saying, “No one deserves to be targeted and murdered simply because they are Nigerian.”
He further expressed concern over what he described as a September 30 deadline issued by some South African non-governmental organisations for African nationals, including Nigerians, to leave the country. He alleged that some groups had threatened those who failed to comply.
Fani-Kayode said the Nigerian community was increasingly worried about its safety and that the Nigerian government’s patience was “wearing thin.”
The latest development comes as Nigeria continues diplomatic engagement with South Africa over the safety and treatment of Nigerians and other African nationals in the country.
