Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Federal Government has sharply escalated diplomatic pressure on South Africa, warning that it could activate unspecified measures against Pretoria if the persistent killings and targeted attacks on Nigerian nationals continue. The warning, one of the strongest issued by Abuja in recent years over the safety of its citizens in South Africa, came after the deaths of two Nigerians on Sunday, 28 June 2026, amid renewed xenophobic tensions in the country.
In a statement issued on Sunday, 5 July 2026, by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, the government condemned what it described as a disturbing pattern of extra-judicial killings, hate speech and growing Afrophobic violence. "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 read.
The latest diplomatic row was triggered by the killing of two Nigerians on 28 June 2026. One of the victims, Emeka Charles Iroegbu, was allegedly tortured to death by officers of the Tshwane Metro Police in Sunnyside, Pretoria, during what the ministry described as "gruesome interrogation techniques". The ministry further alleged that the same officers had earlier, on 20 April 2026, been responsible for the extra-judicial killing of another Nigerian, Nnaemeka Mathew Andrew Ekpenyong, noting that despite the identities of the four officers being known to the South African Police Service, no arrests had been made.
In a separate incident on the same day, Musa Yunana Joe, popularly known as "Big Joe," was reportedly shot dead by unidentified gunmen outside his shop in Witbank, Mpumalanga. Describing the incidents as part of a wider pattern of violence against foreigners, the Federal Government questioned the safety of Nigerians living in South Africa and accused some groups of deliberately criminalising Nigerian migrants to justify attacks against them. The government noted that the repeated killings, particularly those allegedly involving law enforcement officers, raised serious questions about state responsibility under international law.
The ministry also condemned recent remarks reportedly made by a spokesperson of the South African Government urging Nigerians leaving the country because of xenophobic protests to disclose where illegal drugs were hidden. Abuja described the comments as inflammatory, unprofessional and capable of inciting hatred against Nigerians. The government equally criticised anti-immigrant organisations such as March on March and Operation Dudula, accusing them of fuelling violence against fellow Africans through hate campaigns and xenophobic mobilisation.
The Federal Government demanded immediate investigations into the latest killings and other unresolved cases involving Nigerian victims, insisting that criminal allegations against anyone should be handled through due process rather than mob justice or extra-judicial executions. While assuring Nigerians in South Africa that diplomatic engagement with Pretoria would continue, the ministry urged them to remain vigilant, avoid violence-prone areas and relocate to safer neighbourhoods where necessary. It also disclosed that the evacuation of registered Nigerians who wish to return home is continuing.
The government appealed to Nigerians at home not to embark on reprisals against South African businesses or citizens, stressing that dialogue remained Nigeria's preferred option in resolving the crisis. The latest warning revives longstanding tensions between Africa's two largest economies over repeated xenophobic attacks against African migrants, particularly Nigerians. With the situation remaining volatile, all eyes are now on Pretoria to see whether South African authorities will take concrete steps to address the killings and restore confidence in the safety of foreign nationals residing in the country.
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