RismadarVoice Reporters
September 13, 2026
Nigeria’s High Commissioner-designate to South Africa, Femi Fani-Kayode, has called on the South African government to strengthen the protection of Nigerians and ensure justice for two nationals recently killed in Johannesburg.
Fani-Kayode, in a statement on Saturday, identified the victims as Bishop Michael Taiwo Fakunle and James Uchechukwu Nwankwo.
He said their deaths had raised fresh concerns over the safety of Nigerians living in South Africa, adding that they were the seventh and eighth Nigerians reportedly killed in the country in 2026.
According to him, more than 100 Nigerians have been killed in South Africa since 2022, with over 30 allegedly dying in incidents involving the South African Police Service and Defence Force.
Fani-Kayode expressed concern that despite repeated complaints from Nigerian authorities, no arrests or prosecutions had been recorded in connection with the killings.
He alleged that Fakunle was shot dead at his Johannesburg residence on September 4 after reportedly receiving threats, while Nwankwo died on September 5 following what he described as harsh interrogation by South African police officers.
The former minister urged South African authorities to investigate the deaths and prosecute anyone found responsible.
He also raised concern over a reported September 30 deadline issued by some South African organisations for African nationals, including Nigerians, to leave the country.
Fani-Kayode described the reported threats as xenophobic and urged the South African government to protect Nigerians from attacks and intimidation.
He stressed that Nigerians should not be targeted because of their nationality, adding that Nigerian authorities would continue to pursue stronger relations with South Africa while seeking an end to killings and discrimination.
He also called for Nigerians in South Africa to receive the same protection accorded to South Africans living in Nigeria and expressed condolences to the families of the two victims.
