Nigeria has placed the South African government "on notice" following the reported deaths of two Nigerian nationals in South Africa amid a rise in anti-migrant attacks. The Nigerian foreign ministry stated that it is considering "all options" if the "uncultured and provocative trend of intolerance and apartheid-style behaviour of South Africa against foreigners is not addressed."
One Nigerian national, identified as Iroegbu, was reportedly killed in Pretoria by officers from the Tshwane Metro police department, with Nigeria's government claiming he died using "gruesome interrogation techniques." Another Nigerian, named Joe, was attacked outside his shop in eMalahleni on June 28.
Abuja has also begun documenting businesses and properties left behind by Nigerians in South Africa, indicating it will seek compensation for its citizens who have left the country. However, South African cabinet minister Khumbudzo Ntshavheni stated at a media briefing that her government would not pay compensation, adding that Nigerians could sell their registered properties on the South African market.
During the same briefing, Ntshavheni commented, "We would be interested to know where the drug dens of Nigerians are, so they can show us where they have been holding the drugs so we can clean the drugs in South Africa quite urgently." The Nigerian foreign ministry strongly condemned this statement, calling it "unacceptable" and characterizing such public remarks by high-ranking officials as "hate speech."