The Nigerian High Commissioner to South Africa, Femi Fani-Kayode, has called on the South African authorities to urgently investigate the recent killings of three Nigerians and bring those responsible to justice.
Fani-Kayode made the call after the Nigerian Consulate General in Johannesburg reported that three Nigerian citizens were killed in separate incidents in South Africa between September 18 and 21, 2026.
In a statement posted on his X handle, the former Minister of Aviation said the latest deaths had increased the number of Nigerians killed in South Africa this year to 12.
He further disclosed that 112 Nigerians had been killed in South Africa since 2022, including 32 allegedly killed by members of the South African security forces.
Fani-Kayode said no person had been brought to justice or convicted over any of the killings recorded during the period.
He said, “It has been brought to my attention by the Nigerian Consul in Johannesburg that three more Nigerians have been murdered in three separate incidents in South Africa in the space of four days this month alone.
“These killings took place on the 18th, 20th and 21st of September, respectively.”
The High Commissioner condemned the killings and appealed to the South African authorities to protect Nigerians living in the country.
“I condemn these killings and once again appeal to the South African authorities to bring those responsible for them to justice and to protect our people,” he added.
The Consul-General in Johannesburg, Ninikanwa Okey-Uche, had earlier detailed the circumstances surrounding the three deaths, which occurred in Bloemfontein, Pretoria and Ekurhuleni.
According to Okey-Uche, Kenechukwu Christopher Igwemadu allegedly jumped to his death on September 18 while attempting to escape what was described as police harassment and brutality at Kenlin Court on Douglas Street, Central Business District, Bloemfontein.
The second victim, Olaniyi Olaleye Olatunde, was killed at Spanata Bar and Grills Night Club in Mamelodi East, Pretoria, on September 20.
Olatunde, who worked as a security guard at the facility, was reportedly shot by an unidentified South African customer after attempting to stop the man from leaving the club with a cup belonging to the premises.
Politics Nigeria reports that the consul-general said the suspect fled after shooting Olatunde, who was taken to hospital but died the following morning.
The third victim, Christian Hillary Nnaemeka, died on September 21 following an alleged encounter with South African politician and investigative content creator, Xolani Khumalo, and members of his Sizok’thola team in Primrose, Ekurhuleni.
Okey-Uche said Nnaemeka was allegedly arrested and tortured by members of the team before attempting to escape by jumping over a fence. He reportedly collapsed from exhaustion and injuries and was pronounced dead on arrival at a hospital.
The consul-general said the circumstances surrounding the three deaths were deeply troubling and raised questions about the safety of Nigerians and other foreigners in South Africa.
She also said the incidents raised concerns over what appeared to be a pattern of Nigerians being targeted in the country, urging South African authorities to investigate the deaths.
The latest killings came amid continuing concerns over xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks against Nigerians and other Africans in South Africa.
Earlier in September, two Nigerians were also reported killed in xenophobic attacks, while two other Nigerians were killed amid renewed anti-migrant tensions two months earlier.
The renewed concerns have also coincided with the Federal Government’s ongoing evacuation of distressed Nigerians from South Africa.
On September 24, the government evacuated another batch of 105 Nigerians, comprising 82 adults and 23 children, who arrived at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, aboard South African Airways Flight SA060.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs disclosed that 100 of the returnees were evacuated with a $265,854 donation from the Redeemed Christian Church of God, while a private Nigerian citizen funded the tickets for the remaining five.
Politics Nigeria reports that the latest exercise brought the number of consular evacuation exercises conducted from South Africa since June 10 to 13, with 1,821 Nigerians evacuated so far.
Of that figure, the ministry said the Federal Government funded the evacuation of 1,388 Nigerians.
The government said it remained engaged in diplomatic efforts aimed at securing the cooperation of South African authorities in addressing xenophobia and Afrophobia and ensuring the safety of Nigerians resident in the country.
It also urged Nigerians in South Africa to remain vigilant and law-abiding and maintain contact with the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria and the Consulate General in Johannesburg when they require consular assistance.