By Destiny Obinna
Nigerian High Commissioner Designate to South Africa, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, has demanded justice for Nigerians killed in South Africa, urging the South African Government to do more to protect Nigerian nationals in the country.
Fani-Kayode made the call in a press statement on Saturday following the recent killings of two Nigerians, Bishop Michael Taiwo Fakunle and Mr James Uchechukwu Nwankwo, in Johannesburg.
He said the deaths had heightened concerns over the safety of Nigerians in South Africa, alleging that Fakunle and Nwankwo were the seventh and eighth Nigerian nationals killed in the country in 2026.
According to him, more than 100 Nigerians have been killed in South Africa since 2022, with over 30 of the deaths allegedly involving officers of the South African Police Service (SAPS) and South African Defence Force (SANDF).
Fani-Kayode expressed concern that despite repeated complaints by Nigerian authorities, no one had been arrested, prosecuted or brought to justice over what he described as the killings of Nigerians.
He said Fakunle was allegedly shot dead at his home in Johannesburg on September 4 after receiving threats, while Nwankwo died on September 5 following what he described as “gruesome interrogation techniques” by South African police officers.
“I am mortified and deeply shocked to hear about the murder of Bishop Michael Taiwo Fakunle by unknown elements in Johannesburg on September 4th,” he said.
He added that Nwankwo’s death was also a matter of grave concern, alleging that he died as a result of treatment he received during interrogation by the South African police.
Fani-Kayode said, “Bishop Fakunle and Mr. Nwankwo are the 7th and 8th Nigerians to have been murdered in South Africa this year alone.”
He described the alleged lack of prosecution in previous cases as unacceptable and called on the South African Government to take stronger measures to protect Nigerians and ensure that those responsible for the killings faced justice.
“No-one deserves to be targeted and murdered simply because they are Nigerian,” he said.
The High Commissioner Designate also raised concern over what he described as another 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 accused of making threats against African nationals.
Fani-Kayode urged the South African Government to protect Nigerians from what he described as the excesses of the organisations and their members.
He called for justice for Nigerians who, according to him, had suffered trauma, terror, torture, discrimination and killings in the country.
Fani-Kayode said Nigeria would continue to pursue stronger relations with South Africa but stressed that the alleged killings and discrimination against Nigerians must stop.
He added that Nigerians living in South Africa deserved the same protection accorded South Africans living in Nigeria.
He prayed for the repose of the souls of Fakunle and Nwankwo.
