Nigeria’s Ambassador-designate to South Africa, Femi Fani-Kayode, has raised the alarm over fresh threats against Nigerians in South Africa following the killing of two Nigerian nationals in Johannesburg and renewed anti-migrant tensions in the country.
Fani-Kayode, in a post on his X handle on Friday, said the latest developments were particularly disturbing as Nigerians continued to face attacks despite repeated appeals to South African authorities to protect them.
He said Bishop Michael Taiwo Fakunle was killed at his home in Johannesburg on September 4 after allegedly receiving a series of threats, while James Uchechukwu Nwankwo died the following day after what he described as “gruesome interrogation techniques” by officers of the South African Police Service.
“I am mortified and deeply shocked to hear about the murder of Bishop Michael Taiwo Fakunle by unknown elements in Johannesburg on September 4th,” Fani-Kayode said.
“After issuing a series of threats, his killers went to his home and shot him dead.”
He added that he was “equally shocked” by Nwankwo’s death, alleging that the Nigerian died as a result of interrogation techniques used by South African police.
The Nigerian government has separately condemned the deaths of Fakunle and Nwankwo and called for thorough investigations amid concerns that alleged misconduct by some security personnel could further worsen an already tense environment for foreign nationals.
Fani-Kayode said the two deaths had brought the number of Nigerians killed in South Africa this year to eight, according to his account. He claimed that four of the eight were killed by South African police officers.
“Outside of that, over 100 Nigerian nationals have been murdered in South Africa between 2022 and today, and over 30 of them were killed by officers of the South African Police Service and South African Defence Force,” he said.
The claims come against the backdrop of longstanding xenophobic tensions in South Africa, where migrants from other African countries have repeatedly faced attacks and intimidation.
South African authorities have faced pressure over attacks in which foreign nationals are blamed by some groups for unemployment, crime and pressure on public services.
The latest wave of anti-migrant sentiment has also triggered diplomatic concern from Nigeria, with the National Assembly recently suspending official visits and legislative engagements with South Africa over the attacks.
Nigeria has also repatriated citizens from South Africa amid the recent unrest. Reports said 1,490 Nigerians were voluntarily repatriated in July following weeks of xenophobic attacks and anti-immigration violence.
Fani-Kayode, however, said the latest concern went beyond the killings, alleging that some South African organisations had issued another deadline for African nationals, including Nigerians, to leave the country by September 30.
He described the groups as “brazenly racist, xenophobic and Afrophobic” and alleged that they had threatened to target Nigerians and other African nationals who failed to comply.
“We call on the South African Government to protect our people from the excesses of these racist organisations and their misguided members and to apply the full weight of the law against them for their lawless behaviour,” he said.
The former minister also criticised what he described as the failure to prosecute those responsible for previous killings of Nigerians.
“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. This is unacceptable,” he said.
Fani-Kayode urged the South African government to strengthen protection for Nigerian nationals and prosecute those responsible for attacks.
He said the Nigerian community in South Africa was “deeply disturbed” and living in fear, adding that the Nigerian diplomatic mission shared the concern.
He also warned that continued attacks could strain relations between the two countries.
“Whilst we seek to establish stronger and deeper ties with the South African Government, one thing remains clear,” Fani-Kayode said.
“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 added.
Fani-Kayode also appealed for reciprocity in the treatment of citizens of both countries, arguing that Nigerians in South Africa should receive the same protection accorded South Africans in Nigeria.
“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 added.