Nigeria decries murder of nationals in South Africa, considers ‘concrete’ measures against xenophobia

The federal government has condemned the recent killing of two Nigerians in South Africa, berating South African police for reckless crackdown that has led to death of foreigners amid xenophobic attacks in the country. 

The ministry of foreign affairs, in a statement on Friday, decried the recent killing of two Nigerian nationals Bishop Taiwo Michael Fakunle, murdered in his residence in Kensington, Johannesburg, on Friday, 04 September 2026; and Mr. James Uchechukwu Nwankwo, killed from gruesome interrogation techniques by the Officers of the South African Police Service (SAPS) in Sommerset, Cape Town, on 05 September, 2026.

“These killings, happening at a time when foreigners, particularly Africans, are grappling with the devastating impacts of widespread Xenophobic and Aphrophobic attacks in South Africa, raise questions about the safety of foreigners in the country and the commitment of the South African authorities to curbing targeted attacks against foreigners. 

“It is also extremely worrisome that law enforcement agents, saddled with the responsibility of securing lives and property, are exacerbating an already fragile situation by resorting to unacceptable interrogation techniques that have frequently led to the deaths of foreigners,” the statement said.

It added, “Nigeria views these incidents with grave concern and condemns the killings of Bishop Fakunle and Mr Nwankwo in the strongest terms possible.”

Calling on the South African authorities to immediately commence thorough and transparent investigations into the circumstances surrounding the two killings to ensure that those responsible for the murder were identified and brought to justice in accordance with the law, the statement highlighted South African government’s reluctance to ensure  constructive dialogue on xenophobic attacks in the country.

“Nigeria values constructive dialogue as a means of resolving differences and has consistently adopted this approach in our engagement with South Africa in an effort to address the irritants of xenophobia and afrophobia. 

“It is, therefore, concerning that the Memorandum of Understanding on the Establishment of an Early Warning Mechanism, which emerged from our constructive dialogue and has since been duly signed by Nigeria, is yet to be signed by South Africa,” the statement said.

It added, “It is recalled that Nigeria has formally placed the recurring waves of Xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks in South Africa before the Authority of Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS and the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union. As a follow-up to these diplomatic steps, the Government of Nigeria is actively considering other concrete measures to secure the cooperation of the South African authorities on this matter.”