Nigeria’s High Commissioner to South Africa, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, has condemned the killing of two Nigerian nationals in Johannesburg within two days of each other, disclosing that no fewer than eight Nigerians have been murdered in South Africa in 2026 alone and that more than 100 have been killed since 2022 without a single person being arrested or prosecuted.
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The High Commissioner, who is concurrently accredited to the Kingdom of Lesotho and the Kingdom of Eswatini, made the declaration in a statement issued through his official X handle, in which he warned that Nigeria’s patience over the treatment of its citizens in South Africa was “wearing thin.”
Fani-Kayode said he received news of the killing of a Nigerian cleric in Johannesburg with shock.
“I am mortified and deeply shocked to hear about the murder of Bishop Michael Taiwo Fakunle by unknown elements in Johannesburg on September 4th,” he said. “After issuing a series of threats his killers went to his home and shot him dead.”
The envoy said a second Nigerian died the following day in the custody of the South African Police Service.
“I am equally shocked to hear about the murder of Mr. James Uchechukwu Nwankwo by officers of the South African Police Service again in Johannesburg on September 5th,” he stated. “He died as a consequence of what has been described as ‘gruesome interrogation techniques’ by the South African police.”
Placing the two deaths in a wider pattern, the High Commissioner disclosed the running figures held by the Nigerian Mission.
“Bishop Fakunle and Mr. Nwankwo are the 7th and 8th Nigerians to have been murdered in South Africa this year alone. No less than 4 amongst the 8 were murdered by South African police officers.”
He added: “Outside of that, over 100 Nigerian nationals have been murdered in South Africa between 2022 and today and over 30 of them were killed by officers of the South African Police Service and South African Defence Force.”
Fani-Kayode said the absence of any accountability for the deaths was the most troubling aspect of the situation.
“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.”
He continued: “We call on the South African Government to do far more to protect our nationals and to bring those that have killed or are planning to kill them to justice. No-one deserves to be targetted and murdered simply because they are Nigerian.”
The High Commissioner said the killings had left Nigerians resident in the country in a state of fear, and that the diplomatic mission shared their anxiety.
“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.”
Fani-Kayode further condemned the issuance of another ultimatum to foreign nationals to quit South Africa, describing the bodies behind it in strong terms.
“Equally disturbing is the fact that yet another deadline has been issued to African nationals, including Nigerians, to leave South Africa by September 30th,” he said. “This deadline, like the last one, was issued by a number of brazenly racist, xenophobic and Afrophobic South African Non-Governmental Organisations who have openly threatened to target and harm our nationals if their illegal deadline is not complied with.”
He called for enforcement action against the organisations: “We call on the South African Government to protect our people from the excesses of these racist organisations and their misguided members and to apply the full weight of the law against them for their lawless behaviour.”
“We also call on the South African Government to bring to justice those that take pleasure in traumatising, terrorising, torturing and killing our nationals.”
While affirming Nigeria’s desire for closer bilateral relations, the envoy issued a pointed warning.
“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 drew a contrast with the treatment of South Africans in Nigeria: “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.”
The statement closed with a valediction for the two deceased: “May the souls of Bishop Taiwo Fakunle and Mr. James Uchechukwu Nwankwo rest in peace.”
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