Nigeria demands probes into deaths of three nationals in South Africa

Nigeria’s Federal Government has condemned the deaths of three Nigerian nationals in separate incidents in South Africa and called for thorough, transparent and expeditious investigations into the circumstances surrounding them. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs identified the deceased as Kenechukwu Igwemmadu, Olaniyi Olatunde and Christian Nnaemeka. In a statement signed by ministry spokesperson Oluwafemi Adeniyi, it said the deaths occurred between September 18 and 21, 2026.

According to the ministry, Igwemmadu died on September 18 after allegedly jumping from a building while trying to escape police harassment and brutality at Kenlin Court on Douglas Street in Bloemfontein’s central business district. Olatunde was reportedly killed by an unidentified South African at Spanata Bar and Grills Night Club in Mamelodi East, Pretoria, on September 20. Nnaemeka died the following day after an incident involving South African politician and investigative content creator Xolani Khumalo and members of his team in Primrose, Ekurhuleni.

The Nigerian government said it was particularly concerned because the deaths came amid reports of xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks involving Nigerians and other Africans in parts of South Africa. It also raised concerns about the safety of foreign nationals and the effectiveness of measures to prevent targeted attacks and secure accountability. The ministry said allegations of excessive or unlawful conduct by law-enforcement personnel were unacceptable and should be investigated against legal and human-rights standards.

Nigeria urged South African authorities to prosecute anyone found culpable under South African law. The government said constructive dialogue remained its preferred approach and recalled that it had raised similar concerns with South Africa, the Economic Community of West African States and the African Union. It is considering further measures to secure cooperation from South African authorities.

Nigerians in South Africa were advised to remain calm, law-abiding, vigilant and security-conscious, and to maintain contact with Nigeria’s diplomatic missions in Pretoria and Johannesburg for consular assistance.