South Africa: Fani-Kayode demands justice for murdered Nigerians
by Adeola Balogun · The Eagle OnlineNigeria’s ambassador-designate to South Africa, Femi Fani-Kayode, has demanded justice for Nigerians killed amid renewed concerns over attacks targeting Nigerians and other African nationals in the country.
Fani-Kayode made the call following the deaths of Bishop Michael Taiwo Fakunle and James Uchechukwu Nwankwo.
Fakunle was reportedly shot dead at his residence in Kensington, Johannesburg, on September 4, while Nwankwo died the following day in an incident involving officers of the South African Police Service (SAPS).
The Nigerian Citizens Association South Africa said Fakunle had been shot several times after two suspects allegedly gained access to his home.
Fani-Kayode said he was “mortified and deeply shocked” by Fakunle’s killing, alleging that the bishop had received threats before his assailants went to his home and shot him.
“I am equally shocked to hear about the murder of Mr. James Uchechukwu Nwankwo by officers of the South African Police Service again in Johannesburg on September 5th,” he said.
“He died as a consequence of what has been described as ‘gruesome interrogation techniques’ by the South African police,” he added.
The former minister said the two men were the seventh and eighth Nigerians killed in South Africa this year, with four of the eight allegedly killed by South African police officers.
He also said more than 100 Nigerian nationals had been killed in South Africa between 2022 and September 2026, with more than 30 allegedly killed by officers of the SAPS and the South African Defence Force.
Fani-Kayode criticised what he described as the failure to prosecute those responsible for the killings.
“What is most disturbing is the fact that in spite of our constant expressions of concern about this disturbing state of affairs not one person has been arrested, detained, prosecuted or brought to justice for ANY of these heinous crimes,” he said.
“This is unacceptable.”
He called on the South African government to strengthen the protection of Nigerians and ensure that those responsible for the killings face justice.
“We call on the South African Government to do far more to protect our nationals and to bring those that have killed or are planning to kill them to justice,” Fani-Kayode said.
“No-one deserves to be targeted and murdered simply because they are Nigerian.”
He accused some South African non-governmental organisations of being “brazenly racist, xenophobic and Afrophobic” and alleged that they had threatened African nationals who failed to comply with the deadline.
Fani-Kayode urged the South African government to protect Nigerians from such groups and “apply the full weight of the law against them for their lawless behaviour.”
He called for prosecution of those responsible for “traumatising, terrorising, torturing and killing” Nigerians.
“Whilst we seek to establish stronger and deeper ties with the South African Government one thing remains clear,” he said.
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“If this vicious cycle of discrimination against and killing of our nationals does not stop there will be consequences. Simply put our patience is wearing thin,” he stated.
Fani-Kayode said Nigeria had not responded to South Africans in Nigeria with similar attacks, adding that South Africa should reciprocate by protecting Nigerians and addressing their concerns.
“South Africans are not targeted and killed in Nigeria by our people or our security forces. The least the South African Government can do is to reciprocate this gesture, protect our nationals and address our legitimate concerns,” he said.
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