By Omoyeni Ojeifo
Nigeria has intensified diplomatic pressure on South Africa following the deaths of three Nigerian nationals in separate incidents over a four-day span.
The Federal Government is officially demanding a full investigation into the circumstances surrounding their deaths.
The victims—Kenechukwu Christopher Igwemmadu, Olaniyi Olaleye Olatunde, and Christian Hillary Nnaemeka—died between September 18 and 21, 2026, in Bloemfontein, Pretoria, and Primrose, respectively.
Igwemmadu allegedly fell from a building while trying to escape alleged police harassment and brutality at Kenlin Court in Bloemfontein on September 18, 2026, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs noted in a statement emailed to PerSecondNews on Wednesday by Oluwafemi Adeniyi, spokesperson of the Ministry.
Olatunde on the other hand, was reportedly killed by an unidentified South African at Spanata Bar and Grills in Mamelodi East, Pretoria, on September 20, 2026.
While on September 21, 2026, Nnaemeka reportedly died following an incident involving South African politician and investigative content creator Xolani Khumalo and members of his team in Primrose, Ekurhuleni.
The incidents have heightened the Federal Government’s worries about the treatment of Nigerians and other Africans in South Africa, amid recurring challenges linked to xenophobia and Afrophobia.
“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,” it said.
The Federal Government also questioned the protection available to foreign nationals and the effectiveness of measures to prevent attacks and ensure accountability for violations.
“The reported incidents also raise serious concerns regarding the safety and protection of foreign nationals, as well as the effectiveness of measures being taken by the relevant South African authorities,” it noted.
According to the Federal Government, allegations involving police conduct have added another dimension to the government’s concerns, particularly where enforcement methods may breach established legal and human-rights standards.
“Any use of interrogation or enforcement methods that contravene established legal and human rights standard is unacceptable and must be thoroughly investigated.”
The Federal Government consequently wants South African authorities to establish the circumstances surrounding the deaths and ensure that anyone found culpable faces justice under South African law.
“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,” the statement added.
Nigeria recalled previous engagements with South Africa over recurring concerns about xenophobia and Afrophobia, including raising the matter with ECOWAS and the African Union.
The Federal Government also disclosed that it is considering further appropriate measures to secure South African cooperation in addressing the concerns and protecting Nigerian nationals.
Meanwhile, Nigerians resident in South Africa were urged to remain calm, vigilant, law-abiding and security-conscious, particularly amid reported xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks.
They were encouraged to maintain regular contact with Nigeria’s High Commission in Pretoria and Consulate General in Johannesburg for consular assistance whenever necessary.
The Federal Government extended condolences to the families, friends and wider Nigerian community following the deaths of Igwemmadu, Olatunde and Nnaemeka.
PerSecondNews recalls that following xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks against Nigerians and other Africans, the Federal Government commenced evacuations of distressed Nigerians from South Africa.
With the support from well-meaning private Nigerians and organisations, the exercise has so far brought 1,821 Nigerians home from South Africa.
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