Nigeria demands justice over killings of Nigerians in South Africa

…accuses S.A spokesperson of using hate speech

The Federal Government has strongly condemned the recent killings of two Nigerian nationals in South Africa.

Nigeria also placed the South African government on notice, warning that it would take action should the situation persist.

The Federal Government had evacuated 859 Nigerians back home since the renewed violent attacks against foreigners in South Africa.

The two Nigerian nationals killed in the recent nationwide protests against foreign nationals, especially Africans in South Africa, were: Emeka Charles Iroegbu, reportedly killed by Tshwane Metro Police officers on 28th June 2026 in Sunnyside, Pretoria, and the second victim, Mr Musa Yunana Joe, popularly known as Big Joe, who was killed in front of his shop on the same day in Witbank, Mpumalanga.

Earlier, another Nigerian national, Mr Nnaemeka Mathew Andrew Ekpenyong, had been killed on 20th April, 2026.

A statement by the Spokesperson, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, stressed the need for the South African authorities to contain the uncultured and provocative trend of intolerance and apartheid-style behaviour against foreigners.

Ebienfa also condemned a statement attributed to the Spokesperson of the South African government, asking Nigerians leaving the country due to the ongoing xenophobic protests to show where they hide illegal drugs.

He said such derogatory, unprofessional and uncensored generalised public statements by highly placed government officials constitute hate speech that influences and incites negative and criminal actions against members of the Nigerian community.

He also noted that the gang leaders of groups such as March on March and Operation Dudula, who incite violence and hate against fellow Africans, will also be held to account as a matter of regional and international criminal liability.

Nigeria therefore, called on the South African authorities to urgently investigate the two killings and several other pending cases of extrajudicial killings of Nigerian nationals in South Africa, and to ensure that the perpetrators of these heinous crimes are brought to justice without further delay.

The strongly worded statement reads in full: “The Government of Nigeria strongly condemns the recent killing of two Nigerian nationals in South Africa. One victim, Emeka Charles Iroegbu, was reportedly killed by Tshwane Metro Police officers on 28th June 2026, in Sunnyside, Pretoria, using gruesome interrogation techniques. Earlier, on 20th April, 2026, these same officers were allegedly responsible for the extrajudicial killing of another Nigerian, Mr Nnaemeka Mathew Andrew Ekpenyong. His case is still pending; no arrests have been made, even though the four officers involved are known to the South African Police Service (SAPS).

“The second victim, Mr Musa Yunana Joe, popularly known as Big Joe, was killed in front of his shop on 28th June, 2026, in Witbank, Mpumalanga. Of great concern is that the killing was committed by yet-to-be-identified criminals. These two killings come at a time when foreigners are being unduly targeted in South Africa. This raises questions about deliberate attempts by some elements to wrongfully generalise and label well-meaning, hard-working, and respectable Nigerians as criminals. It also raises further questions about the general safety of Nigerians and other foreigners in South Africa.”

“The continuing pattern of such terrible incidents is clear evidence of complicity by security operatives, especially officers of the Tshwane Metro Police, raising the question of state responsibility under International Law.

“The recorded data collated by our Missions lays the grounds for criminal liability. It is a fact that South Africa currently has one of the highest rates of crime globally, including a culture of looting and mob action. Nigerians are more civil in our interactions with foreign nationals, and we always uphold the rule of law when dealing with illegal activities. It is therefore unfair to target foreigners and make them scapegoats for endemic socio-economic conditions that need to be addressed by the authorities.

“Nigeria expresses great concern over the recently televised public statement by the spokesperson of the South African Government, asking Nigerians leaving the country due to the ongoing xenophobic protests to show where they hide illegal drugs. Such unguarded public statements are unacceptable and are strongly condemned. Such derogatory, unprofessional and uncensored generalised public statements by highly placed government officials constitute hate speech that influences and incites negative and criminal actions against members of the Nigerian community. The gang leaders of groups such as March on March and Operation Dudula, who incite violence and hate against fellow Africans, will also be held to account as a matter of regional and international criminal liability.

“The Government of Nigeria, therefore, calls on the South African authorities to conduct urgent investigations into the two killings and several other pending cases of extra-judicial killings of Nigerian nationals in South Africa, and to ensure that the perpetrators of the heinous crimes are brought to justice without further delay. Our position remains that, no matter what the allegations or suspicions may be, there are lawful processes and steps to justice. All must be presumed innocent and granted a fair hearing in a court of law.

“The Federal Government sympathises with the families and associates of the deceased and will continue to engage the highest authorities in South Africa until justice is served. Given the volatile security situation, we appeal to our nationals to remain calm, law-abiding and security-conscious, especially due to the ongoing xenophobic and afrophobic demonstrations in the country. They are advised to move to safer neighbourhoods and avoid areas that are prone to violent activity, while the Government continues to explore diplomatic solutions to address the growing scourge of Afrophobia in South Africa.

“The Government of Nigeria wishes to reiterate that there are numerous South African nationals and businesses operating safely in Nigeria without harassment of any kind. Likewise, it is the responsibility of the South African Government to protect the lives and property of all foreigners, including Nigerian nationals, living in the country. Therefore, the systematic targeting of Nigerian nationals who are legally residing in South Africa is not acceptable, and their safety should be guaranteed.

“We wish to place the Government of South Africa on notice that, if the situation continues to persist, all options remain on the table, some of which will be activated if the uncultured and provocative trend of intolerance and apartheid-style behaviour of South Africa against foreigners is not addressed.”

“The government calls on the general Nigerian public to remain calm and not take the law into their own hands through retaliatory actions. We will continue to pursue dialogue and negotiations in the spirit of African unity, brotherhood and solidarity, which are the cornerstones of Nigeria’s foreign policy for resolving the unfortunate developments.

“Meanwhile, the evacuation of registered Nigerians continues.”