RismadarVoice Reporters
September 14, 2026
There is growing outrage in Nigeria following the separate killings of two Nigerian nationals, Bishop Michael Fakunle and James Nwankwo, in South Africa.
Fakunle, an indigene of Iye in Ekiti State, was allegedly shot dead at his residence in Johannesburg on September 4 after reportedly receiving threats.
Fakunle reportedly died a day later following alleged “gruesome interrogation techniques” by officers of the South African Police Service.
The incidents have renewed concerns over the safety of Nigerians in South Africa amid recurring xenophobic attacks and allegations of police brutality.
Nigeria’s ambassador-designate to South Africa, Femi Fani-Kayode, said the two deaths brought to seven and eight the number of Nigerians allegedly murdered in the country this year to seven and eight.
He alleged that four of the eight were killed by South African police officers, adding that more than 100 Nigerians had reportedly been killed in the country since 2022.
Fani-Kayode criticised the lack of prosecutions in previous cases and said Nigeria’s patience was “wearing thin”.
The National Assembly subsequently suspended official visits to South Africa and directed lawmakers and officials to boycott legislative activities organised by South African authorities.
However, South Africa’s Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola, said his government had not received official communication about the decision.
Lamola said the development had not, at that stage, affected diplomatic relations between both countries, stressing that South Africa remained willing to engage Nigeria on issues concerning its citizens.
Meanwhile, the South African Consul-General in Lagos, Prof Bobby Moroe, declined to comment specifically on the latest killings, saying responses would come from Pretoria. No response had been received as of Sunday night.
Nigerian community leaders in South Africa have called for thorough investigations and accountability, with the President of the Nigerian Union South Africa, Dr Smart Nwobi, urging authorities to ensure that anyone found responsible—whether civilian or security personnel—is prosecuted.
The Federal Government also expressed concern over the deaths and demanded justice.
In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson, Oluwafemi Adeniyi, urged South African authorities to immediately conduct thorough and transparent investigations into the circumstances surrounding the deaths and bring those responsible to justice.
