FG Threatens Action After Fresh Killing of Nigerian in South Africa
The Federal Government has accused South African security operatives of complicity in the recurring killings of Nigerians after two citizens were murdered in separate incidents. It warned that it may be forced to explore stronger diplomatic options if the attacks continue. The latest deaths come amid renewed concerns over anti-migrant sentiments in South Africa. Nigerian […]
A protester gestures towards people they believe to be undocumented foreign nationals while marching with others during a demonstration by the “March and March” and Operation Dudula movements marking an unofficial deadline set by citizen-led groups for undocumented foreign nationals to leave South Africa, in Johannesburg, on June 30, 2026. Thousands of demonstrators massed across South African cities on June 30, 2026, venting anger at undocumented foreign nationals as police mounted a major operation to head off looting and xenophobic violence that has claimed four lives.
The nationwide protests cap weeks of demonstrations called by a loose coalition of minor political parties and small citizen-led vigilante groups, which set an unofficial June 30 deadline for foreigners without residency papers to leave. (Photo by EMMANUEL CROSET / AFP)
The Federal Government has accused South African security operatives of complicity in the recurring killings of Nigerians after two citizens were murdered in separate incidents.
It warned that it may be forced to explore stronger diplomatic options if the attacks continue.
The latest deaths come amid renewed concerns over anti-migrant sentiments in South Africa.
Nigerian authorities say citizens are increasingly being targeted.
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In a statement issued on Sunday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, through its spokesperson, Kimiebi Ebienfa, identified the victims as Emeka Charles Iroegbu and Musa Yunana Joe.
According to the ministry, Iroegbu was allegedly killed on June 28 in Sunnyside, Pretoria, following “gruesome interrogation techniques” by officers of the Tshwane Metro Police.
The ministry alleged that the same officers had previously been linked to the extra-judicial killing of another Nigerian, Nnaemeka Mathew Andrew Ekpenyong, whose case remains unresolved.
It said no arrests had been made despite the identities of the four officers allegedly involved being known to the South African Police Service.
The second victim, Musa Yunana Joe, popularly known as Big Joe, was reportedly shot dead in front of his business premises in Witbank, Mpumalanga.
His attackers, according to the ministry, are yet to be identified.
Describing the incidents as deeply disturbing, the Federal Government said the repeated killings have heightened concerns over what it called the wrongful profiling of Nigerians as criminals.
“The continuing pattern of such terrible incidents is clearly evidence of complicity on the part of security operatives, especially officers of the Tshwane Metro Police, which raises the question of state responsibility under International Law,” Ebienfa said.
He argued that records compiled by Nigerian diplomatic missions in South Africa point to possible criminal liability.
He insisted that the country’s high crime rate should not be used as justification for targeting foreigners.
“It is unfair to target foreigners and make them scapegoats of endemic socio-economic conditions that need to be addressed by the authorities,” he added.
The ministry urged South African authorities to immediately investigate the latest killings alongside other unresolved cases involving Nigerian nationals and ensure those responsible are prosecuted.
It also warned that Nigeria would not rule out stronger measures if the attacks and alleged extra-judicial killings persist.
“We wish to place the Government of South Africa on notice that if the situation continues to persist, all options remain on the table, some of which will be activated if the uncultured and provocative trend of intolerance and apartheid-style behaviour of South Africa against foreigners is not addressed,” the statement said.
The Federal Government further expressed condolences to the families of the deceased.
It assured them that it would continue engaging the highest levels of the South African government until justice is secured.
The latest fatalities add to growing concerns over the safety of Nigerians living in South Africa.
In April, the Nigerian Consulate in Johannesburg disclosed that two Nigerians had been killed during a wave of xenophobic violence.
However, some repatriated citizens claimed the actual number of victims was significantly higher.