Reported By Mary Udezue | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
The Nigerian community in South Africa has responded with outrage to the fatal shooting of Nigerian national Emeka Clement Uzor during an anti-drug operation in Johannesburg, and leaders have threatened protests if a full, transparent and impartial investigation is not conducted into the circumstances of his death.
Uzor, an indigene of Nkerefi in Nkanu East Local Government Area of Enugu State, was reportedly shot dead on February 8, 2026, in the Windsor East area of Randburg, Johannesburg, around mid-afternoon while seated in his parked vehicle at a petrol station. Details surrounding the shooting remain unclear, but community representatives strongly contest the narrative provided by some authorities.
South African political party ActionSA, which confirmed that its Ekurhuleni mayoral candidate, Xolani Khumalo, was present during the operation, described the incident as part of an anti-drug raid targeting suspected criminal networks. The party said that a “shooting incident occurred in which a Nigerian suspect, identified as being involved in drug trafficking, was shot,” and insisted such operations form part of broader efforts to tackle organised crime in the metropolitan area.
However, the President of the Nigerian Union South Africa (NUSA), Smart Nwobi, rejected claims that Uzor was involved in drug trafficking and accused those present at the scene of acting unlawfully. Nwobi questioned why Uzor was killed instead of being arrested, pointing out that Nigerians are often quickly labelled criminals to deflect scrutiny after such incidents. He warned that protests would follow if decisive action and accountability are not forthcoming.
The Nigerian Union’s statement highlighted that Uzor was reportedly hit by more than a dozen bullets while seated in his vehicle, and that stray shots damaged nearby vehicles, raising concerns about the use of excessive force during the incident. The union also alleged that the incident occurred in the presence of a media production crew and criticised comments attributed to Khumalo that appeared to justify the shooting, describing them as “careless, irresponsible and deeply inhumane.”
Following widespread criticism, civil society groups such as the Nigerian Citizens Association South Africa (NICASA) have condemned the killing as a “grave human rights violation” and demanded a full, transparent and impartial investigation by South African authorities. NICASA’s leadership called for all those found culpable to be held accountable and urged diplomatic engagement by the Nigerian government to ensure justice and protection for Nigerians living in South Africa.
South African police have acknowledged that a murder investigation has been opened, with officers called to the scene to restore public order after tensions escalated. Initial police statements indicate that shots were fired during the operation and that the incident is being probed, though no arrests had been reported at the time of the latest updates.
The involvement of a private security team connected to a television production, rather than traditional state security forces, has added complexity to the case. Police statements suggested that guns were fired by security personnel associated with the production team amid the anti-drug operation, and the matter is under investigation as a potential unlawful killing.
The unfolding situation has stirred anxiety within Nigeria’s diaspora in South Africa, with community leaders emphasising the need for accountability and transparent judicial processes. They have called on Nigerians living across the country to remain calm and law-abiding, even as they organise collective pressure on authorities from both nations to address perceived patterns of violence and protect foreign nationals’ rights.
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