Nigeria Reports 3 Nationals Killed in South Africa Amid Tensions
Abuja states three Nigerians were killed between Sept. 18 and 21, escalating diplomatic concerns over violence against migrants.
Three Nigerian nationals have been killed in South Africa in recent weeks, Nigerian authorities reported Tuesday, deepening existing tensions between the two nations over persistent violence targeting migrants.
Nigeria's ambassador-designate to South Africa, Femi Fani-Kayode, stated that the three individuals—Kenechukwu Christopher Igwemmadu, Olaniyi Olaleye Olatunde, and Christian Hillary Nnaemeka—were killed between September 18 and September 21 in Bloemfontein, Pretoria, and Primrose, respectively. These deaths bring the total number of Nigerians killed in South Africa this year to 12, and 112 since the beginning of 2022.
"Nigeria will protect its nationals," Fani-Kayode said in a statement posted on the social platform X.
The Nigerian consulate in South Africa issued a statement Tuesday noting that the recent deaths, occurring in quick succession, "raise questions about what seems to be a pattern of targeting Nigerians in South Africa." The consulate called on "relevant South African authorities to investigate the deaths thoroughly and bring the perpetrators of the gruesome acts to justice."
South Africa has experienced recent months of violent anti-migrant protests, leading to the displacement of thousands of migrants and causing diplomatic friction with other African countries. Earlier in September, Nigeria's parliament suspended all official visits and engagements with South Africa in response to the ongoing violence.
South Africa has historically attracted individuals from across the African continent seeking economic opportunities, with Nigeria being a significant source of migrants. However, these foreign nationals have also been subjected to sporadic outbursts of xenophobic violence, with protesters often blaming them for the country's high rates of unemployment, crime, and strain on public services.
In June, two Nigerians were killed during anti-migrant violence in South Africa, just two days before an unofficial deadline set by protesters for foreigners to leave the country. Nigeria's foreign ministry at the time stated that one of those individuals was allegedly killed by police officers, while the other was killed by unidentified attackers. South African authorities did not immediately respond to a request for comment regarding the recent killings.