The Nigerian consulate in Johannesburg has condemned the alleged killing of a Nigerian national, Emeka Charles Iroegbu, by security officers attached to the Tshwane metro police in South Africa.

The consulate said Mr Iroegbu, 50, was allegedly murdered on June 28 in Sunnyside, Pretoria, in the Gauteng province.

A statement on Saturday signed by the consul general, Ninikanwa Okey-Uche, said the report of the incident, particularly the knowledge of the gruesome interrogation techniques employed by police personnel, which led to Mr Iroegbu’s death, caused the victim’s immediate family, the Nigerian community and diplomatic missions in South Africa shock and pain.

“The Consulate General of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in Johannesburg, South Africa, condemns, in the strongest terms, the killing of one of its nationals, Emeka Charles Iroegbu (DOB: 1/3/76) by officers of the Tshwane Metro Police, on 28th June, 2026 in Sunnyside, Pretoria,” Ms Okey-Uche stated.

The consul general recalled that the Tshwane metro police had been allegedly responsible for the extrajudicial killing of another Nigerian national, Andrew Ekpenyong, on April 20.

Ms Okey-Uche denounced how the previous case has remained pending, with no arrests made, despite the alleged involvement of four suspected police officers.

“Mr Iroegbu’s death, coming at a time when foreigners are being unduly targeted in South Africa, raises questions about what seems to be a deliberate attempt by some elements to wrongfully generalise and tag well-meaning, hard-working and respectable Nigerians in the country as criminals,” she said.

Ms Okey-Uche called on the South African government to investigate the alleged murder cases and promptly bring the perpetrators of the gruesome acts to justice.

“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 a fair hearing in a court of law. No one should take the law into their own hands,” the consul general said.

The consulate urged Nigerian nationals in the country to remain calm, law-abiding and security-conscious amid ongoing xenophobic and afrophobic demonstrations by anti-immigration demonstrators.

“While we expect the authorities to do the needful and achieve the ultimate prosecution of the perpetrators and pray for his soul to rest in peace, we remain poised to continue to fulfil our mandate of overseeing the welfare and fair treatment of all Nigerians in the country,” the consulate added.