The Nigerian High Commissioner to South Africa, Femi Fani-Kayode, has called on the South African authorities to urgently investigate the recent killings of three Nigerians and bring those responsible to justice. According to the Nigerian Consulate General in Johannesburg, three Nigerian citizens were killed in separate incidents in South Africa between September 18 and 21, 2026. Fani-Kayode made the call in a statement posted on his X handle.
The former Minister of Aviation disclosed that the latest deaths had increased the number of Nigerians killed in South Africa this year to 12. He further revealed that 112 Nigerians had been killed in South Africa since 2022, including 32 allegedly killed by members of the South African security forces. Fani-Kayode condemned the killings and appealed to the South African authorities to protect Nigerians living in the country.
The Consul-General in Johannesburg, Ninikanwa Okey-Uche, detailed the circumstances surrounding the three deaths, which occurred in Bloemfontein, Pretoria, and Ekurhuleni. Kenechukwu Christopher Igwemadu allegedly jumped to his death on September 18 while attempting to escape what was described as police harassment and brutality at Kenlin Court on Douglas Street, Central Business District, Bloemfontein.
The second victim, Olaniyi Olaleye Olatunde, was killed at Spanata Bar and Grills Night Club in Mamelodi East, Pretoria, on September 20. Olatunde, who worked as a security guard at the facility, was reportedly shot by an unidentified South African customer after attempting to stop the man from leaving the club with a cup belonging to the premises. The suspect fled after shooting Olatunde, who was taken to hospital but died the following morning.
The third victim, Christian Hillary Nnaemeka, died on September 21 following an alleged encounter with South African politician and investigative content creator, Xolani Khumalo, and members of his Sizok’thola team in Primrose, Ekurhuleni. Okey-Uche said Nnaemeka was allegedly arrested and tortured by members of the team before attempting to escape by jumping over a fence.
The latest killings came amid continuing concerns over xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks against Nigerians and other Africans in South Africa. Earlier in September, two Nigerians were also reported killed in xenophobic attacks, while two other Nigerians were killed amid renewed anti-migrant tensions two months earlier. The incidents have raised concerns over what appears to be a pattern of Nigerians being targeted in the country.
The Federal Government has been conducting evacuation exercises for distressed Nigerians in South Africa. On September 24, the government evacuated 105 Nigerians, comprising 82 adults and 23 children, who arrived at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, aboard South African Airways Flight SA060. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs disclosed that 100 of the returnees were evacuated with a $265,854 donation from the Redeemed Christian Church of God.
Key points
- The Nigerian High Commissioner to South Africa, Femi Fani-Kayode, has called for an urgent investigation into the recent killings of three Nigerians in South Africa.
- 112 Nigerians have been killed in South Africa since 2022, including 32 allegedly killed by members of the South African security forces.
- The Federal Government has evacuated 1,821 Nigerians from South Africa since June 10, with 1,388 evacuees funded by the government.
