The Federal Government has condemned the deaths of three Nigerian nationals in separate incidents in South Africa, calling for thorough, transparent and swift investigations into the circumstances surrounding their deaths.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs disclosed this in a statement issued on Wednesday by its spokesperson, Oluwafemi Adeniyi, stating that the incidents occurred between September 18 and 21, 2026.
The deceased were identified as Kenechukwu Christopher Igwemmadu, Olaniyi Olaleye Olatunde and Christian Hillary Nnaemeka.
According to the ministry, 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 Bloemfontein’s Central Business District.
Olatunde was reportedly killed by an unidentified South African at Spanata Bar and Grills Night Club in Mamelodi East, Pretoria, on September 20.
Nnaemeka, it added, 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 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.
“The Federal Government of Nigeria condemns these incidents and is deeply concerned by their occurrence at a time when Nigerians and other Africans continue to face challenges associated with Xenophobia and Afrophobia in parts of South Africa,” the statement said.
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.
“The Federal Government is equally concerned by allegations of excessive or unlawful conduct by law enforcement personnel entrusted with the protection of lives and property. Any use of interrogation or enforcement methods that contravene established legal and human rights standard is unacceptable and must be thoroughly investigated,” it said.
Nigeria consequently called on the relevant South African authorities to immediately investigate the deaths and ensure that anyone found culpable was brought to justice.
“In this regard, 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 said constructive dialogue remained its preferred means of addressing bilateral concerns, noting 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.
Meanwhile, the government urged Nigerians living in South Africa to remain calm, vigilant, law-abiding and security-conscious amid prevailing security concerns.
It also advised Nigerians to maintain regular contact with the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria and the Consulate General in Johannesburg for consular assistance when necessary.
The Federal Government expressed condolences to the families, friends and wider Nigerian community in South Africa over the deaths of Igwemmadu, Olatunde and Nnaemeka.
I changed “killing” to “deaths” in the headline because the three incidents, as presented in the statement, involve different circumstances and the government is calling for investigations rather than establishing that all three were killings.
