Three Nigerians killed in South Africa, tensions with Nigeria deepen

Three Nigerian nationals have been killed in South Africa in recent weeks, Nigerian authorities said on Tuesday, adding to tensions between the two countries over continuing violence against migrants. Nigeria said the latest deaths have taken the number of Nigerians killed in South Africa this year to 12, and to 112 since 2022.

Nigeria’s ambassador-designate to South Africa, Femi Fani-Kayode, said the three men were killed between September 18 and 21. He said, “Nigeria will protect its nationals,” in a post on X. Earlier this month, Nigeria’s parliament indefinitely suspended official visits and engagements with South Africa over the violence.

Fani-Kayode identified the three victims as Kenechukwu Christopher Igwemmadu, who was killed in Bloemfontein, Olaniyi Olaleye Olatunde, who was killed in Pretoria, and Christian Hillary Nnaemeka, who was killed in Primrose.

The Nigerian consulate in South Africa said the recent deaths of the three Nigerians, “coming in quick succession, also raise questions about what seems to be a pattern of targeting Nigerians in South Africa.” South African authorities did not immediately reply to a request for comment.

“We continue to call on relevant South African authorities to investigate the deaths thoroughly and bring the perpetrators of the gruesome acts to justice,” consul-general Ninikanwa Okey-Uche said in a statement.

South Africa has for years attracted foreign nationals from across the continent, including many from Nigeria, in search of economic opportunities. But foreigners have also faced sporadic outbreaks of xenophobic violence. In recent months, violent anti-migrant protests have forced thousands of migrants to leave and have led to diplomatic tensions with other African countries. Protesters blame foreigners for the country’s high unemployment, crime and pressure on public services.

In June, two Nigerians were killed during anti-migrant violence in South Africa, two days before an unofficial deadline set by protesters for foreigners to leave. Nigeria’s foreign ministry had said one was allegedly killed by police officers and the other by unidentified attackers. The latest deaths have added to concerns in Nigeria over the safety of its nationals in South Africa.