Reported by Ariajegbe Sylvia Esezobor
The Federal Government has condemned the killing of three Nigerian nationals in separate incidents in South Africa between September 18 and 21, 2026, calling for thorough, transparent and expeditious investigations into the circumstances surrounding their deaths and warning that it is actively considering further measures to secure the cooperation of South African authorities in protecting Nigerian citizens.
The condemnation was contained in a statement issued on Wednesday by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and signed by its spokesperson, Oluwafemi Adeniyi. The government identified the deceased as Kenechukwu Igwemmadu, Olaniyi Olatunde and Christian Nnaemeka. According to the statement, Igwemmadu died on September 18 after allegedly jumping from a building while attempting to escape police harassment and brutality at Kenlin Court on Douglas Street in the Central Business District of Bloemfontein. Olatunde was reportedly killed by an unidentified South African at Spanata Bar and Grills Night Club in Mamelodi East, Pretoria, on September 20. Nnaemeka died on September 21 following an incident involving South African politician and investigative content creator Xolani Khumalo and members of his team in Primrose, Ekurhuleni.
The Nigerian Consulate General in Johannesburg, which issued a separate statement on the same incidents, provided additional details. It said Olatunde, who worked as a security guard at the club, was shot after he attempted to stop a customer from leaving with a cup belonging to the establishment. The altercation escalated, and the customer pulled out a firearm and shot Olatunde in the lower body, causing serious injury and profuse loss of blood. The shooter fled the scene but later returned and threatened to kill any witnesses who dared to report the case. Olatunde was rushed to Mamelodi Hospital, where he was confirmed dead on the morning of September 21. The Consulate said Nnaemeka was allegedly tortured by Khumalo's Sizok'thola team despite nothing incriminating being found on him, and that he collapsed from injuries and exhaustion after attempting to escape by jumping over a fence, and was pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital. The Consulate recalled that another Nigerian, Emeka Clement Uzor, was shot dead by the same Khumalo's crew on February 9, 2026, and noted that no arrests had been made while Khumalo was currently running for election as Mayor of Ekurhuleni.
The Federal Government said it was deeply concerned by the incidents, particularly against the backdrop of reports of xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks involving Nigerians and other Africans in parts of South Africa. It expressed concern over the safety and protection of foreign nationals, as well as the effectiveness of measures being taken by South African authorities to prevent targeted attacks and ensure accountability for violations against foreigners. The government also raised concerns over allegations of excessive or unlawful conduct by law enforcement personnel, stressing that any interrogation or enforcement methods that contravene established legal and human rights standards are unacceptable and must be thoroughly investigated. "The Federal Government of Nigeria calls on the relevant South African authorities to immediately undertake thorough, transparent and expeditious investigations into the circumstances surrounding these deaths, and ensure that any persons found culpable are brought to justice in accordance with South African law," the statement said. The government urged Nigerians living in South Africa to remain calm, vigilant, law-abiding and security-conscious, and advised them to maintain regular contact with the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria and the Consulate General in Johannesburg for consular assistance when necessary. It expressed condolences to the families, friends and the wider Nigerian community in South Africa over the deaths of Igwemmadu, Olatunde and Nnaemeka.
The deaths bring the number of Nigerians killed in South Africa since the start of 2026 to at least 12, according to figures disclosed by Nigeria's Ambassador to South Africa, Femi Fani-Kayode. The Ambassador, who is also a former Minister of Aviation, said the three victims were killed on September 18, 20 and 21, and that more than 100 Nigerians have been killed in South Africa since 2022, with over 30 of them allegedly killed by police or soldiers. The latest killings occurred barely three weeks after another group of Nigerians was murdered in similar circumstances, prompting the Consulate to describe the incidents as deeply troubling and to note that they continue to raise numerous questions over the safety of Nigerians and other foreigners in South Africa. The Consulate said its position remained that Nigerian and all lives matter, and that in cases where allegations may exist, there are processes and steps to justice, and all should be presumed innocent.
The Federal Government said constructive dialogue remained its preferred means of addressing bilateral concerns, recalling that it had consistently engaged South Africa over recurring cases of xenophobia and Afrophobia. It added that Nigeria had previously raised the concerns with the Economic Community of West African States and the African Union. "In light of these latest developments, the Federal Government of Nigeria is actively considering further appropriate measures to secure the cooperation of the South African authorities in addressing these concerns and protecting the rights and safety of Nigerian nationals," the statement said. The government's language suggested a growing impatience with the pace of South African investigations and a willingness to escalate the matter diplomatically if the killings continue without accountability.
The South African authorities have not issued a formal response to the Nigerian government's statement. The incidents have renewed concerns about the treatment of foreign nationals in South Africa, where xenophobic violence has periodically erupted over the past decade, targeting migrants from other African countries, particularly those from Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Malawi and Mozambique. The Nigerian government has consistently condemned such attacks and called for the prosecution of perpetrators, but the recurring nature of the killings has fuelled frustration and demands for stronger action. For the families of Igwemmadu, Olatunde and Nnaemeka, the statements from Abuja and Johannesburg offer little consolation beyond the promise of investigation. For Nigerians living in South Africa, the incidents are a reminder of the risks they face in a country where they have long contributed to the economy and society but where they are frequently treated as outsiders. As the government weighs its next diplomatic move, the question of whether the latest condemnations will be followed by concrete action remains unanswered. The coming weeks will determine whether South African authorities respond with the urgency the situation demands, or whether the cycle of violence and condemnation continues into another year.
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