Nigeria condemns killing of two nationals in South Africa, warns of unspecified measures

Nigeria has condemned the killings of two of its nationals in South Africa, urging authorities to investigate the deaths amid ongoing anti-immigrant protests. The Nigerian foreign ministry said the two men died on June 28, and warned that unspecified measures could be taken if such attacks continue.

According to the ministry, one of the men, identified as Emeka Charles Iroegbu, was allegedly killed by police officers in Sunnyside, Pretoria, while the other, Musa Yunana Joe, was killed in front of his shop in Witbank, Mpumalanga province, by unidentified attackers. The ministry said the deaths occurred two days before a deadline set by protest groups for foreign workers to leave the country.

The ministry's statement said the killings came at a time when foreigners are being "unduly targeted" in South Africa. It called for an immediate investigation and said it was concerned that politicians were inflaming tensions through xenophobic remarks in local media. The statement also said Nigeria was placing the South African government "on notice" and that "all options remain on the table" if what it called the "uncultured and provocative trend of intolerance and apartheid-style behaviour" against foreigners is not addressed.

South African authorities have not yet commented on the allegations. However, a South African cabinet minister, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, said her government would not pay compensation to Nigerians who have left the country, and suggested that Nigerians should sell registered properties they left behind. She also made remarks about drug dens, which Nigeria's foreign ministry strongly condemned as "unacceptable" and constituting hate speech.

South Africa's government has been accused of not doing enough to crack down on xenophobic attacks, and Nigeria's foreign minister, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, warned that the safety of African immigrants in South Africa is deteriorating. She said there are no signs the situation is improving, while announcing more evacuation flights. South African police said Joe's killing did not appear to be related to the protests, but could not immediately comment on Iroegbu's death.

Weeks of protests against undocumented migrants have taken place across South Africa, with large turnouts in cities and towns. Some of the demonstrations have turned violent. Protesters blame foreigners for high unemployment, crime and pressure on public services. On June 30 alone, over 120 marches took place nationwide, with thousands participating in major cities.

Nigeria's foreign ministry has previously said that one of the victims, Iroegbu, was allegedly tortured to death by officers of the Tshwane Metro Police during interrogation. The ministry also alleged that the same officers had been responsible for the extra-judicial killing of another Nigerian in April, and that no arrests had been made despite the identities of the officers being known to South African police.

The ministry also said it had begun documenting businesses and properties left behind by Nigerians who have been repatriated. Countries including Nigeria, Ghana and Zimbabwe have repatriated thousands of their citizens from South Africa in response to the violence.

Key Claims

  • Two Nigerian nationals were killed in South Africa on June 28.
  • One of the men was allegedly killed by police officers in Pretoria.
  • The other man was killed by unidentified attackers in Mpumalanga province.
  • Nigeria's foreign ministry condemned the killings and called for an investigation.
  • Nigeria threatened to take unspecified measures if attacks continue.
  • South African police said one of the killings did not appear to be related to the protests.
  • Nigeria's foreign minister said the safety of African immigrants in South Africa is deteriorating.
  • South Africa's government has been accused of not doing enough to stop xenophobic attacks.