RismadarVoice Reporters
September 12, 2026
The Federal Government has confirmed the deaths of two Nigerians in separate incidents in South Africa, amid renewed concerns over attacks against foreigners in the country.
The victims were identified as Taiwo Fakunle and James Nwankwo by the spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Oluwafemi Adeniyi, in a statement issued on Friday.
According to Adeniyi, Fakunle was killed at his residence in Kensington, Johannesburg, on September 4.
Nwankwo was reportedly killed the following day in Somerset, Cape Town, during what the ministry described as “gruesome interrogation techniques” allegedly used by officers of the South African Police Service.
The Federal Government has demanded comprehensive and transparent investigations into both deaths, urging South African authorities to identify those responsible and ensure they face justice.
The ministry expressed particular concern over Nwankwo’s death, given the alleged involvement of police officers, describing the reported interrogation methods as unacceptable.
The latest incidents occurred about two months after two other Nigerians were killed in South Africa amid renewed anti-migrant tensions.
The ministry said the repeated attacks, including incidents involving the destruction of property belonging to Nigerians and other African nationals, had raised concerns about South Africa’s efforts to tackle xenophobia and Afrophobia.
It also faulted South Africa for failing to sign a memorandum of understanding on an early-warning mechanism previously agreed upon during bilateral discussions between both countries.
According to the ministry, the Federal Government is considering additional measures to secure South Africa’s cooperation in addressing the recurring attacks.
It said the options could include presenting the issue of repeated xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks against Nigerians and other Africans before the Economic Community of West African States Authority of Heads of State and Government and the African Union Assembly of Heads of State and Government.
The development came as the National Assembly on Friday suspended all legislative engagements with South Africa over the continued attacks against Nigerians.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to protecting the lives and interests of Nigerians living in South Africa.
