Nigeria’s Ambassador to South Africa, Femi Fani-Kayode, has raised fresh concerns over the alleged killing of Nigerian citizens by South African security personnel, claiming that more than 30 Nigerians have been killed by officials of the South African Police Service and the South African Defence Force since 2022.
In a statement posted on Facebook on Friday, Fani-Kayode further alleged that more than 100 Nigerians had been killed in South Africa within the same period, including eight in 2026. He said at least four of the eight deaths recorded this year were allegedly carried out by South African police officers.
The ambassador’s remarks come amid renewed worries over xenophobic attacks and threats directed at African migrants, particularly Nigerians, in South Africa. He stated that the situation had reached a point where the Nigerian government could no longer remain indifferent.
“Nigeria’s patience is running thin,” Fani-Kayode declared.
He linked the latest concerns to the reported deaths of two more Nigerians — James Nwankwo and Taiwo Fakunle — which brought the number of Nigerian deaths in South Africa in 2026 to eight.
According to the ambassador, Nwankwo was killed by officials of the South African Police Service in Somerset West, Cape Town, on September 5. Fani-Kayode alleged that the death followed what he described as “gruesome interrogation techniques” used by the officers.
The second victim, Taiwo Fakunle, identified as a bishop, was reportedly shot at his residence in Johannesburg on September 4. Fani-Kayode alleged that the killers had issued threats before going to the home and shooting him. The identity of the assailants remained unknown at the time of the statement.
Fani-Kayode expressed particular concern over the lack of accountability, noting the absence of arrests, detentions or prosecutions linked to the deaths.
“What is most disturbing is the fact that despite 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,” he said.
The ambassador also disclosed that groups had issued another deadline demanding that black foreigners leave South Africa. He said the latest ultimatum followed an earlier June 30 deadline that had already generated tension and protests in parts of the country.
He described the groups behind the demand as “brazenly racist, xenophobic and Afrophobic” and said they had threatened Nigerians and other African nationals who failed to comply. The developments, he added, had left the Nigerian community in South Africa “deeply disturbed” and living in fear.
“The Nigerian community in South Africa is deeply disturbed by these developments and lives in trepidation of what could happen next. So is the Nigerian Mission in South Africa,” Fani-Kayode stated.
He called on the South African government to protect Nigerians and other African nationals living legally in the country and to take decisive action against groups engaging in xenophobic activities, urging authorities to “apply the full weight of the law.”
Fani-Kayode warned that continued attacks against Nigerians could further strain relations between the two countries. He noted the historically strong social, economic and diplomatic ties between Nigerians and South Africans, insisting that the safety of Nigerian citizens should be treated as a matter of urgency.
“South Africans are not targeted and killed in Nigeria by our people or our security forces,” he said. “The least the South African Government can do is to reciprocate this gesture, protect our nationals and address our legitimate concerns.”
The renewed controversy occurs against the backdrop of recurring xenophobic tensions in South Africa, where African migrants have periodically faced attacks, intimidation and calls for their removal. Nigeria, Ghana, Zimbabwe and Malawi are among African countries that have previously repatriated citizens from South Africa following such incidents.
