Nigeria calls for probe into deaths of three citizens in South Africa
Nigeria has demanded investigations into the deaths of three Nigerians in South Africa, saying those responsible must be held accountable. The latest killings bring the reported number of Nigerians killed there since the start of the year to at least 12, while Nigeria says about 112 have died since 2022.
Nigeria has called on South African authorities to investigate the deaths of three Nigerians and hold those responsible accountable, amid continuing concern over violence against foreign nationals. Nnikanwa Okey-Uche, Nigeria’s consul-general in South Africa, described the recent killings as disturbing and said authorities should establish the circumstances surrounding the deaths of Kenechukwu Igwemmadu, Olaniyi Olatunde and Christian Nnaemeka. Their deaths, reported last week, bring the number of Nigerians killed in South Africa since the beginning of the year to at least 12, according to the supplied material.
Nigerian Ambassador-designate Femi Fani-Kayode said about 112 Nigerians had been killed since 2022. Fani-Kayode said 32 of those victims were killed by South African security forces. He also said no one had been brought to justice or convicted in any of the cases cited, and appealed to South Africa to protect Nigerians and prosecute those responsible.
The killings have contributed to a diplomatic dispute between Nigeria and South Africa. Nigeria summoned Pretoria’s representative in May after the deaths of two Nigerians. In July, President Bola Tinubu declined to meet a special South African delegation and directed it to meet Nigeria’s minister of state for foreign affairs instead.
Nigeria’s National Assembly later suspended official visits to South Africa and told members and officials to boycott legislative activities organised by South African authorities until further notice. The broader violence has also affected citizens of other African countries. The material says at least five Mozambicans, four Ghanaians and one Ugandan have been killed in South Africa.
Ghana, Mozambique and Malawi have repatriated citizens, while Nigeria has brought back more than 1,640 people since June. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has attributed the violence to illegal migration and opportunists exploiting public sentiment. He said his government would act against perpetrators and that lawlessness could not be tolerated.
This independently written report is based on information supplied by the named publisher. Vertrix News has not independently verified the source report.