South Africa: FG Demands Protection After Two Nigerians Are Killed

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa — Two Nigerians have been killed in separate incidents amid rising xenophobic tensions in South Africa, sparking fresh fears among the Nigerian diaspora community.

The Nigerian Consulate General in Johannesburg identified the deceased as Amaramiro Emmanuel and Ekpenyong Andrew.

According to the Consul-General, Ninikanwa Okey-Uche, Emmanuel died from injuries allegedly sustained after he was beaten by personnel of the South African National Defence Force on April 20. Andrew was apprehended on April 19 in the Booysens area of Pretoria following an alleged altercation with members of the Tshwane Metro Police, with his body later discovered at the Pretoria Central Mortuary.

The consul-general said the involvement of security personnel in both cases has left the victims’ families and the Nigerian community in shock.

A formal case has been opened with the South African Police Service, while the Nigerian mission has called on the Independent Police Investigative Directorate to conduct a thorough, transparent, and impartial investigation.

“We call on South African authorities to thoroughly investigate the matter and bring the perpetrators to justice. No matter the allegations, there are lawful processes. Everyone should be presumed innocent and granted a fair hearing in a court of law. No one should take the law into their hands,” Okey-Uche stated.

The consul-general warned against the growing trend of profiling Nigerians as criminals and assured that the consulate is engaging relevant authorities while providing necessary support to the bereaved families. She urged Nigerians in South Africa to remain calm and law-abiding as investigations continue.

The killings have heightened concerns as viral videos circulate showing mobs confronting foreign nationals, including a Nigerian trader ordered to leave the country with his family during an anti-immigrant protest. In a separate incident, an Ethiopian national was shot dead at close range in downtown Johannesburg, with CCTV footage suggesting a targeted attack.

Reacting to the developments, the Nigerian Citizens Association in South Africa (NICASA) described the situation as alarming. Its President, Frank Onyekwelu, appealed to President Bola Tinubu, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, and the National Assembly to intervene urgently through strategic diplomacy.

“Nigerians in South Africa are law-abiding, economically contributing, and socially integrated members of society. The reckless stereotyping and collective criminalisation of our people must stop,” Onyekwelu said.

The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission has issued safety advisories, urging nationals to avoid confrontations, monitor local developments, and in some cases, temporarily close businesses in areas like Durban, Cape Town, and KwaZulu-Natal where protests and looting have been reported.

Nigeria’s Acting Ambassador to South Africa, Alexander Ajayi, maintained that Nigerians are not under siege and described the incidents as isolated tensions, noting that both governments are working to ensure the safety of all residents.

The Federal Government, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has formally called on South Africa to protect the lives and property of Nigerians and other African nationals. Spokesperson Kimiebi Ebienfa recalled the deep historical ties between both nations rooted in the anti-apartheid struggle.

As South Africa marked Freedom Day, President Cyril Ramaphosa urged foreign nationals to respect the country’s laws while reaffirming commitment to human rights.

The tragic deaths of these two Nigerians once again underscore the urgent need for sustained diplomatic efforts to safeguard Nigerian citizens abroad and preserve the spirit of African brotherhood.