morganABLE News/security& justice
The killings have renewed fears over recurring xenophobic violence and alleged police brutality against foreign nationals in South Africa, particularly Nigerians, who are often accused of being disproportionately targeted
KaNo—
Outrage has continued to mount across Nigeria following the killing of two Nigerian nationals, Bishop Michael Fakunle and James Nwankwo, in separate incidents in South Africa, further intensifying concerns over the safety of Nigerians living in the country.
Fakunle, a native of Iye in Ilejemeje Local Government Area of Ekiti State, was reportedly shot dead by unidentified assailants at his residence in Johannesburg on September 4.
Sources familiar with the incident said the cleric had received a series of threats prior to his death, raising suspicions about a possible targeted attack.
Barely 24 hours later, Nwankwo reportedly died on September 5 under controversial circumstances, with allegations that he was subjected to “gruesome interrogation techniques” by officers of the South African Police Service.
Details surrounding his arrest and detention remain unclear, but the incident has triggered outrage among Nigerians both at home and in the diaspora.
The killings have renewed fears over recurring xenophobic violence and alleged police brutality against foreign nationals in South Africa, particularly Nigerians, who are often accused of being disproportionately targeted.
Nigeria’s Ambassador Expresses Concern
Nigeria’s ambassador-designate to South Africa, Femi Fani-Kayode, described the deaths as part of a troubling pattern of violence against Nigerians in the country. According to him, Fakunle and Nwankwo are the seventh and eighth Nigerians allegedly killed in South Africa this year alone.
Providing further context, Fani-Kayode said that more than 100 Nigerians had reportedly been killed in South Africa between 2022 and the present, with over 30 of those deaths allegedly linked to personnel of the South African Police Service and the South African Defence Force.
He expressed concern over what he described as a persistent lack of accountability, noting that none of the reported cases had resulted in arrests or prosecutions.
“What is most disturbing is the fact that despite 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.
The ambassador-designate also condemned groups he accused of fuelling hostility against foreign nationals, describing them as “racist, xenophobic and Afrophobic.”
He urged the South African government to take urgent steps to protect Nigerians and other African migrants, warning that Nigeria’s patience was “wearing thin.”
The incidents have already begun to strain diplomatic engagements between the two countries.
National Assembly Suspends Official Visits To South Africa
In response, Nigeria’s National Assembly announced the suspension of all official visits to South Africa and directed lawmakers and government officials to boycott legislative activities hosted or organised by South African authorities until further notice.
The move is widely seen as a symbolic protest against what Nigerian officials perceive as inadequate action by South African authorities to address the killings.
However, South Africa’s Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola, said his government had not received any formal communication regarding the National Assembly’s decision.
Speaking during an interview with SABC News, Lamola downplayed the immediate diplomatic impact of the development.
“We have not received any official communication in that regard, but our understanding is that it is the National Assembly of Nigeria, and it does not, at this stage, affect the bilateral relations between the two countries,” he said.
Lamola also disclosed that Nigerian authorities had previously submitted a list of approximately 100 Nigerians reportedly killed in South Africa.
Despite these assurances, there has been no official statement directly addressing the latest killings.
The South African Consul-General in Lagos, Prof. Bobby Moroe, declined to comment on the incidents when contacted, stating that responses would come from the government headquarters in Pretoria. As of Sunday night, no such response had been issued.
Netizens Condemn Killing
Meanwhile, the killings have sparked widespread reactions on social media, where Nigerians expressed anger, grief and frustration over what many described as a pattern of violence against their compatriots abroad.
A user on X, Chibuzor Anucha (@royalchi), described Fakunle’s death as “heartbreaking and deeply disturbing,” calling for a thorough investigation and justice for the victims and their families.
Musan Zariya (@Musa95Aliu) advocated tougher measures, including the recall of Nigeria’s ambassador, nationalisation of South African business interests and restrictions on capital inflows.
Similarly, Ibrahim James (@dazzlag_) argued that Nigeria should move beyond “diplomatic niceties” and adopt a more assertive stance in defending its citizens.
However, some voices urged caution against generalising the actions of individuals or security agencies to the entire South African population. Olatunji Azeez (@tj_attires) warned against turning legitimate concerns into widespread hostility.
“Behind every statistic is a Nigerian who left home looking for opportunities. Nigeria should protect its citizens wherever they are. But we also have to be careful not to turn legitimate concerns about attacks into hatred against an entire country or its people,” he said.
Leaders of Nigerian communities in South Africa have also weighed in on the situation.
Ohanaeze Lament Harsh Treatment Of Nigerians In South Africa
According to him, violence in South Africa is not limited to Nigerians but cuts across different groups. However, he alleged that Nigerians are often subjected to harsher treatment by law enforcement agencies.
“The matter our new ambassador has identified has been the order of the day. The killings have been going on,” Okokoh said.
“It is not just that they are killing Nigerians alone; this is a country where there is a high level of violence, especially among different groups of people. The police here use high-handedness, especially on Nigerians. It is not new.”
He added that while some cases had been taken to court, many failed to progress significantly due to structural challenges within the justice system.
“There are a lot of cases that are still in court. At the end of the day, it doesn’t go so far because the cases are also being prosecuted by the Independent Police Investigative Directorate, which means it is the state that is prosecuting the state,” he said.
As calls for justice grow louder, observers say the latest killings could further test diplomatic relations between Nigeria and South Africa, unless concrete steps are taken to address the concerns and ensure the safety of foreign nationals living in the country.
