Nigeria Condemns Killing of Citizens in South Africa

The Nigerian Consulate-General in Johannesburg has condemned the deaths of three Nigerians in separate incidents across South Africa. Consul-General Amb. Ninikanwa Okey-Uche disclosed this in a statement issued on Monday.

The incidents occurred between September 18 and 21, 2026, raising new concerns about the safety of Nigerians and other foreigners.

The three victims were identified as Kenechukwu Christopher Igwemmadú, Olaniyi Olaleye Olatunde and Christian Hillary Nnaemeka.

According to the Consulate, Igwemmadú allegedly jumped to his death on September 18 while trying to escape police harassment and brutality. The incident occurred at Kenlin Court on Douglas Street in Bloemfontein’s Central Business District.

“On 18th September 2026, a Nigerian national, Kenechukwu Christopher IGWEMMADU, allegedly jumped to his death while trying to escape police harassment and brutality at Kenlin Court on Douglas street, Central Business District (CBD), Bloemfontein.” the Consulate said.

Two days later, Olatunde was shot at Spanata Bar and Grills Night Club in Mamelodi East, Pretoria. Olatunde, who worked as a security guard at the club, reportedly confronted a South African customer who tried to leave with a cup belonging to the club.

The Consulate said the disagreement escalated after the customer allegedly pulled out a firearm and shot Olatunde in the lower body. It said the victim suffered serious injuries and heavy blood loss before the shooter fled the scene.

According to the Consulate, the suspect later returned after realising that witnesses knew his identity and allegedly threatened those who might report him.

Olatunde was taken to Mamelodi Hospital but died from his injuries on the morning of September 21.

The third victim, Nnaemeka, was allegedly tortured and killed on September 21 in Primrose, Ekurhuleni.

The Consulate linked the incident to an operation by the Sizok’thola content creation team led by South African politician and investigative content creator Xolani Khumalo.

According to the Consulate, the encounter allegedly involved assault and torture, which resulted in Nnaemeka’s death. The Consulate alleged that the team arrested and beat Nnaemeka despite reportedly finding nothing incriminating on him.

It said he later tried to escape by jumping over a fence but collapsed from his injuries and exhaustion. Nnaemeka was taken to hospital but was pronounced dead on arrival, according to the Consulate.

The Consulate also recalled the February 9, 2026 killing of another Nigerian, Emeka Clement Uzor, who it said was shot by Khumalo’s reality television crew in Windsor East, Randburg.

It said no arrests had been made in that case and claimed Khumalo was now running for election as Mayor of Ekurhuleni.

The Consulate described the latest deaths as “deeply troubling” and said they raised concerns about the safety of Nigerians and other foreigners in South Africa.

It said, “The recent deaths of the three (3) Nigerians, coming in quick succession, also raises questions about what seems to be a pattern of targeting Nigerians in South Africa.”

The Nigerian mission called on South African authorities to investigate the deaths and prosecute anyone found responsible.

“We continue to call on relevant South African authorities to investigate the deaths thoroughly and bring the perpetrators of the gruesome acts to justice,” the Consulate said.

It also stressed that allegations of wrongdoing must not justify extrajudicial action.

“Our position remains that NIGERIAN AND ALL LIVES MATTER,” the statement said.

The Consulate added that anyone accused of wrongdoing should be presumed innocent and given a fair hearing in court. The mission also appealed to Nigerians in South Africa to remain calm, law-abiding and security-conscious.

It warned of ongoing xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks, threats, insecurity and alleged mistreatment of vulnerable African foreigners, particularly Nigerians.

Meanwhile, Nigeria’s High Commissioner to South Africa, Femi Fani-Kayode, said the latest deaths had increased the number of Nigerians killed in South Africa in 2026 to 12. Fani-Kayode said three Nigerians had been killed in separate incidents within four days in September.

He added that 112 Nigerians had been killed in South Africa since 2022, including 32 allegedly killed by members of the South African security forces.

“Not one person has been brought to justice or convicted for ANY of these crimes,” Fani-Kayode said.

He condemned the latest killings and called on South African authorities to protect Nigerians and prosecute those responsible.

“I condemn these killings and once again I appeal to the South African authorities to bring those that are responsible for them to justice and to protect our people,” he said.

The Consulate-General extended condolences to the families of the three victims and reaffirmed its commitment to the welfare and fair treatment of Nigerians in South Africa.