By Danjuma Amodu
…Femi Fani-Kayode says 4 of this year’s victims were allegedly killed by police, warns “patience is wearing thin” over attacks on Nigerians
Nigeria’s High Commissioner-Designate to South Africa, Femi Fani-Kayode, has demanded urgent action from Pretoria following the killing of two more Nigerians in Johannesburg, bringing to eight the number of Nigerians murdered in the country this year.
In a statement on his verified X handle, Fani-Kayode said he was “mortified and deeply shocked” by the September 4 murder of Bishop Michael Taiwo Fakunle by unknown gunmen, and the September 5 death of Mr. James Uchechukwu Nwankwo, allegedly during “gruesome interrogation techniques” by officers of the South African Police Service.
He stated that at least four of the eight Nigerians killed in South Africa in 2026 were allegedly murdered by police officers.
The envoy further disclosed that over 100 Nigerians have been killed in South Africa between 2022 and 2026, with more than 30 of them allegedly killed by members of the South African Police Service and the South African Defence Force.
“What is most disturbing is the fact that in spite of our constant expressions of concern about this disturbing state of affairs not one person has been arrested, detained, prosecuted or brought to justice for ANY of these heinous crimes. This is unacceptable,” Fani-Kayode said.
He called on the South African Government to protect Nigerian nationals and prosecute perpetrators. “No-one deserves to be targetted and murdered simply because they are Nigerian,” he added.
Fani-Kayode also flagged a September 30 ultimatum issued to African nationals, including Nigerians, to leave South Africa. He attributed the deadline to “brazenly racist, xenophobic and Afrophobic” NGOs and urged authorities to apply the law against groups threatening violence.
“The Nigerian community in South Africa are deeply disturbed by these developments and live in trepidation of what could happen next. So is the Nigerian Mission in South Africa,” he said.
The High Commissioner-Designate, who holds concurrent accreditation to Lesotho and Eswatini, warned that continued attacks could strain bilateral relations.
“Whilst we seek to establish stronger and deeper ties with the South African Government one thing remains clear. If this vicious cycle of discrimination against and killing of our nationals do not stop there will be consequences. Simply put our patience is wearing thin,” he stated.
“South Africans are not targetted and killed in Nigeria by our people or our security forces. The least the South African Government can do is to reciprocate this gesture, protect our nationals and address our legitimate concerns.”
He prayed for the repose of Bishop Fakunle and Mr. Nwankwo.
