Two Nigerians killed amid xenophobic tensions in South Africa
Two Nigerians, James Nwankwo and Taiwo Fakunle, have been killed in South Africa amid escalating xenophobic and anti-immigration tensions in the country.
A statement signed by the Consul General of Nigeria in South Africa, Ninkanwa Okey-Uche, on Friday said Mr Fakunle was killed at his residence in Kensington, Johannesburg, on September 4, while Mr Nwankwo was murdered on September 5, 2026.
According to the consulate, Mr Nwankwo was murdered by personnel of the South African Police Service in Somerset West, Cape Town.
“The unfortunate incident has raised concern over the safety of Nigerians and other foreigners in South Africa. The death, coming at a time when foreigners are still being targeted in the country, also raises questions about what seems to be a deliberate attempt by some elements to generalise and tag well-meaning, respectable Nigerians in the country as criminals,” the consulate said.
The consulate demanded an immediate investigation and prosecution of the perpetrators, urging South Africa to take sterner measures to safeguard the lives of foreign nationals in the country.
“Consequently, we are calling on relevant South African authorities to conduct thorough investigations and achieve the ultimate prosecution of the perpetrators. We also called on the South African government to take sterner measures to safeguard the lives of our nationals in the country, as well as enhance the protection of their properties,” it noted.
It also urged Nigerians to remain calm, law-abiding and security-conscious.
“While we expect the authorities to conduct the necessary thorough investigations and achieve ultimate prosecution of perpetrators, we appeal to our nationals to remain calm, law-abiding and security-conscious, especially in the wake of the latest deadline for foreigners to leave South Africa by September 30 2026, issued by an anti-migrant group– March and March, without consequences,” it added.
The latest incident came amid worsening anti-immigration and xenophobic tensions, forcing Nigeria and other countries to evacuate their nationals in the interest of safety.
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