FG demands justice for two Nigerians killed in South Africa

…National Assembly suspends official engagements with South Africa

ABUJA — The Federal Government has condemned the deaths of two Nigerian nationals in separate incidents in South Africa and demanded thorough, transparent and speedy investigations to establish the circumstances surrounding the incidents and bring anyone found responsible to justice.

The deceased were identified as Bishop Taiwo Michael Fakunle, who was killed at his residence in Kensington, Johannesburg, on September 4, 2026, and James Uchechukwu Nwankwo, who died in Cape Town the following day.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, through its spokesperson, Oluwafemi Adeniyi, said the circumstances surrounding the two deaths were disturbing and raised fresh concerns about the safety of Nigerians and other foreign nationals in South Africa.

According to the ministry, Nwankwo died after what it described as “gruesome interrogation techniques” allegedly used by officers of the South African Police Service (SAPS).

The ministry did not identify suspects or give a possible motive in the death of Bishop Fakunle, who was reportedly shot at his Johannesburg residence.

South African police had not immediately responded to requests for comment on the allegations concerning the two deaths.

The Federal Government called on the relevant South African authorities to immediately commence comprehensive investigations into the incidents, identify those responsible and ensure that they are prosecuted in accordance with the law.

It said Nigeria expected the cases to be treated with the urgency they deserved.

The latest deaths have heightened concerns over the safety of Nigerians in South Africa, where recurring anti-migrant and xenophobic tensions have strained relations between the two countries.

Nigeria’s Foreign Ministry said the killings raised questions about the safety of foreigners in South Africa and the commitment of the South African authorities to curbing targeted attacks against foreign nationals.

The Nigerian Ambassador-designate to South Africa, Femi Fani-Kayode, has also expressed outrage over the deaths.

According to reports quoting Fani-Kayode, Fakunle and Nwankwo were the seventh and eighth Nigerians allegedly killed in South Africa in 2026.

He further alleged that four of the eight deaths involved South African police officers.

Fani-Kayode also claimed that more than 100 Nigerians had been killed in South Africa between 2022 and 2026, including more than 30 allegedly killed by officers of the South African Police Service and South African Defence Force. These figures are allegations attributed to the envoy and remain subject to official verification.

The development has attracted calls for stronger action from the Federal Government.

Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, urged the government to move beyond diplomatic condemnation and consider legal proceedings against South Africa over the alleged killings and mistreatment of Nigerians.

Falana argued that Nigeria could explore available regional and international human-rights mechanisms to seek accountability and protection for its citizens.

He also called for stronger coordination between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Nigeria’s diplomatic mission in South Africa and the Federal Ministry of Justice in documenting cases involving alleged killings, torture and other abuses of Nigerians.

The National Assembly has meanwhile suspended official visits and legislative engagements with South Africa indefinitely, citing continuing concerns over attacks, killings, displacement and destruction of Nigerians’ businesses and property.

The suspension covers official parliamentary visits and legislative programmes hosted or organised by South African legislative authorities.

The move has further raised the diplomatic temperature between Africa’s two largest economies.

South Africa’s Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola, said Pretoria had not received formal communication about the Nigerian parliamentary decision, while stressing that South Africa remained willing to engage Nigeria on issues affecting the two countries.

The latest incidents have also renewed attention to the wider problem of xenophobic and anti-migrant violence in South Africa.

Nigerian officials said in July that at least 98 Nigerians had been killed in South Africa since 2022 in mob attacks, hate-related incidents and alleged extrajudicial killings.

The Federal Government’s latest demand therefore puts renewed pressure on South African authorities to establish the facts surrounding the deaths of Bishop Fakunle and Nwankwo, prosecute anyone found culpable and provide stronger guarantees for the safety of Nigerians living and conducting legitimate business in the country.