Nigeria’s High Commissioner to South Africa, Femi Fani-Kayode, has condemned the recent killing of two Nigerians in Johannesburg, describing the development as “unacceptable” and calling on the South African government to do more to protect Nigerian nationals.
Fani-Kayode, in a statement, said he was “mortified and deeply shocked” by the murder of Bishop Michael Taiwo Fakunle by unknown assailants in Johannesburg on September 4.
According to him, Fakunle was allegedly subjected to a series of threats before his killers went to his residence and shot him dead.
He also expressed shock over the death of James Uchechukwu Nwankwo, who, according to him, was allegedly killed by officers of the South African Police Service in Johannesburg on September 5.
Fani-Kayode said Nwankwo died as a consequence of what he described as “gruesome interrogation techniques” by the South African police.
He alleged that Fakunle and Nwankwo were the seventh and eighth Nigerians to have been murdered in South Africa in 2026, adding that four of the eight were allegedly killed by South African police officers.
The High Commissioner further claimed that more than 100 Nigerian nationals had been murdered in South Africa between 2022 and September 2026, with over 30 allegedly killed by personnel of the South African Police Service and South African Defence Force.
“What is most disturbing is the fact that in spite of our constant expressions of concern about this disturbing state of affairs, not one person has been arrested, detained, prosecuted or brought to justice for any of these heinous crimes,” he said.
Fani-Kayode called on the South African government to strengthen the protection of Nigerians in the country and ensure that those responsible for the killings are brought to justice.
“No-one deserves to be targeted and murdered simply because they are Nigerian,” he said.
He said the Nigerian community in South Africa and the Nigerian Mission were “deeply disturbed” by the developments and were living in fear over what could happen next.
The High Commissioner also raised concerns over another alleged deadline issued to African nationals, including Nigerians, to leave South Africa by September 30.
According to him, the deadline was issued by some South African non-governmental organisations which he described as “racist, xenophobic and Afrophobic,” adding that some of the groups had allegedly threatened African nationals who failed to comply.
Fani-Kayode urged the South African government to protect Nigerians from what he described as the excesses of such organisations and to apply the law against those involved in threats and intimidation.
He further called for justice for Nigerians allegedly subjected to discrimination, torture, terror and killings in South Africa.
“Whilst we seek to establish stronger and deeper ties with the South African Government, one thing remains clear. If this vicious cycle of discrimination against and killing of our nationals does not stop, there will be consequences.
“Simply put, our patience is wearing thin,” he said.
Fani-Kayode added that South Africans were not targeted or killed by Nigerians or Nigerian security forces in Nigeria, urging the South African government to reciprocate by protecting Nigerian nationals and addressing Nigeria’s concerns.
He prayed for the repose of the souls of Bishop Michael Taiwo Fakunle and James Uchechukwu Nwankwo.
