Says killing of Nigerians unacceptable
Eight Nigerians killed in 2026
Over 100 Nigerian nationals murdered between 2022 and 2026
Over 30 killed by South African Police Service officers, South African Defence Force
From Aidoghie Paulinus, Abuja
The Nigerian High Commissioner-Designate to South Africa, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, has expressed shock over the killing of Bishop Michael Taiwo Fakunle and James Uchechukwu Nwankwo in South Africa.
Fani-Kayode, in a post on Facebook, said he was mortified and deeply shocked to hear about the murder of Bishop Michael Taiwo Fakunle by unknown persons in Johannesburg on September 4.
The former Minister of Aviation also said that, after issuing a series of threats, Fakunle’s killers went to his home and shot him dead.
He further said he was equally shocked to hear about the death of James Uchechukwu Nwankwo, allegedly at the hands of officers of the South African Police Service, also in Johannesburg, on September 5.
“He died as a consequence of what has been described as ‘gruesome interrogation techniques’ by the South African police.
“Bishop Fakunle and Mr Nwankwo are the seventh and eighth Nigerians to have been murdered in South Africa this year alone.
“No fewer than four among the eight were murdered by South African police officers.
“Outside of that, over 100 Nigerian nationals have been murdered in South Africa between 2022 and today, and over 30 of them were killed by officers 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.
“This is unacceptable.
“We call on the South African Government to do far more to protect our nationals and to bring those that have killed or are planning to kill them to justice,” Fani-Kayode said.
Fani-Kayode added that no one deserved to be targeted and murdered simply because they are Nigerians.
He also said the Nigerian community in South Africa was deeply disturbed by the developments and lived in trepidation over what could happen next.
“So is the Nigerian Mission in South Africa.
“Equally disturbing is the fact that yet another deadline has been issued to African nationals, including Nigerians, to leave South Africa by September 30.
“This deadline, like the last one, was issued by a number of brazenly racist, xenophobic and Afrophobic South African non-governmental organisations that have openly threatened to target and harm our nationals if their illegal deadline is not complied with.
“We call on the South African Government to protect our people from the excesses of these racist organisations and their misguided members and to apply the full weight of the law against them for their lawless behaviour.
“We also call on the South African Government to bring to justice those who take pleasure in traumatising, terrorising, torturing and killing our nationals,” the High Commissioner-Designate to South Africa further said.
He stated that while Nigeria sought to establish stronger and deeper ties with the South African Government, one thing remained 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.
“South Africans are not targeted and killed in Nigeria by our people or our security forces.
“The least the South African Government can do is reciprocate this gesture, protect our nationals and address our legitimate concerns.
“May the souls of Bishop Taiwo Fakunle and Mr James Uchechukwu Nwankwo rest in peace,” Fani-Kayode prayed.
