FG condemns killing of two Nigerians in South Africa
Date:
5 July 2026 2:02pm WAT
THE Federal Government has condemned the killing of two Nigerians in South Africa and demanded that those responsible be brought to justice
It also expressed concern over what it described as the growing insecurity facing Nigerians living in the country amid renewed xenophobic and Afrophobic tensions
In a statement issued yesterday by the Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa, the government identified one of the victims as Emeka Charles Iroegbu, who was allegedly killed by officers of the Tshwane Metro Police on June 28, 2026, in Sunnyside, Pretoria
According to the ministry, the same officers had earlier been linked to the alleged extra-judicial killing of another Nigerian, Nnaemeka Mathew Andrew Ekpenyong, on April 20
The government noted that although the identities of the four officers involved in Ekpenyong’s case were known to the South African Police Service, no arrests had been made
The second victim, Musa Yunana Joe, popularly known as Big Joe, was reportedly shot dead in front of his shop in Witbank, Mpumalanga, on June 28 by yet-to-be-identified gunmen
The ministry said the latest killings occurred at a time when foreigners were increasingly becoming targets in South Africa, raising concerns that Nigerians were being unfairly profiled and scapegoated
It warned that attempts to portray hardworking and law-abiding Nigerians as criminals were dangerous and capable of fuelling further attacks
“These two killings come at a time when foreigners are being unduly targeted in South Africa. This raises questions about deliberate attempts by some elements to wrongfully generalise and tag well-meaning, hard-working and respectable Nigerians as criminals,” the statement said
The government also criticised comments recently attributed to a spokesperson of the South African Government, who reportedly asked Nigerians leaving the country because of xenophobic protests to disclose where they had hidden illegal drugs
It described the remarks as irresponsible and inflammatory, saying such public statements by senior government officials amounted to hate speech capable of encouraging violence against members of the Nigerian community
The ministry further alleged that the recurring involvement of officers of the Tshwane Metro Police in cases involving Nigerians suggested a disturbing pattern that raised questions about the responsibility of security agencies
It urged the South African authorities to urgently investigate the two latest killings as well as other unresolved cases involving Nigerian nationals and ensure that all those responsible were prosecuted
“Our position remains that no matter what the allegations or suspicions may be, there are lawful processes and steps to justice. All must be presumed innocent and granted fair hearing in a court of law,” the statement added
While sympathising with the families of the deceased, the Federal Government advised Nigerians residing in South Africa to remain calm, law-abiding and security conscious, especially in view of the ongoing xenophobic and Afrophobic demonstrations
The ministry urged Nigerians to avoid areas prone to violence and relocate to safer neighbourhoods where necessary, assuring them that diplomatic engagements with the South African authorities would continue
It also noted that the evacuation of registered Nigerians willing to leave South Africa was ongoing
The government stressed that South African citizens and businesses continued to operate freely in Nigeria and insisted that Nigerians legally residing in South Africa deserved the same level of protection
It warned that if the attacks continued unchecked, Nigeria would consider further measures while remaining committed to dialogue, African unity and peaceful diplomatic engagement
In a related development, the Federal Government has demanded an explanation from the authorities in Côte d’Ivoire over the death of a 24-year-old Nigerian trader, Usama Murtala, after months of detention without trial
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, raised the issue when she summoned the Ivorian Ambassador to Nigeria, Kalilou Traore, to her office in Abuja
She also demanded compensation for the deceased’s family and called for a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death
Usama and five other traders from Sokoto had travelled to Abidjan by road in August last year for business before they were arrested and detained at the MACA Prison without charge or trial
The five surviving Nigerians were recently released following sustained diplomatic interventions by the Nigerian Mission in Abidjan and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Questioning the prolonged detention, the minister said Nigerian authorities were never informed of their arrest, a development she said delayed diplomatic intervention
She disclosed that the detainees were fed only once a day during their incarceration, while two of them became critically ill. Usama eventually died in custody
“Nobody could give reasons why they were arrested and detained for so long without trial or charge,” Odumegwu-Ojukwu said
She also complained that the traders’ phones, money, goods and other personal belongings had not been returned after their release
“We seek compensation for the dead young man’s family and a commitment that Côte d’Ivoire will, going forward, treat our nationals with dignity,” the minister said
Responding, Ivorian Ambassador Kalilou Traore expressed condolences to the bereaved family and assured the Nigerian government that its concerns would be conveyed to the authorities in Abidjan
