Nigeria Demands Protection for Citizens After Killings in South Africa
A fresh xenophobic violence in South Africa has claimed the lives of two Nigerians, triggering fear and panic within the diaspora community and prompting urgent diplomatic engagement by the Federal Government.
The development comes as Nigerians living in South Africa demanded protection by the Federal Government, saying that protecting Nigerians abroad is both a constitutional and moral obligation of the government.
The Nigerian Consulate General in Johannesburg confirmed that Amaramiro Emmanuel and Ekpenyong Andrew were killed in separate incidents linked to rising anti-foreigner tensions.
The Consul-General, Ninikanwa Okey-Uche, disclosed in a statement on Monday that Emmanuel died from injuries allegedly sustained after being beaten by personnel of the South African National Defence Force on April 20.
Andrew, she said, was apprehended on April 19 in the Booysens area of Pretoria following an alleged altercation with members of the Tshwane Metro Police, and his body was later discovered at the Pretoria Central Mortuary.
The consul-general said the separate cases, involving security personnel, have left the victims’ families, the Nigerian community, and diplomatic missions in shock.
A formal case has since been opened with the South African Police Service, while the Nigerian mission has urged the Independent Police Investigative Directorate to ensure a thorough, transparent, and impartial investigation.
“We call on South African authorities to thoroughly investigate the matter and bring the perpetrators to justice.
“No matter the allegations, there are lawful processes. Everyone should be presumed innocent and granted a fair hearing in a court of law. No one should take the law into their hands,” she said.
The Consul General added that the consulate was engaging relevant authorities and would provide necessary support to the families of the deceased, while warning against the growing trend of profiling Nigerians as criminals.
Okey-Uche also urged Nigerians in South Africa to remain calm and law-abiding as investigations continue.
The killings come amid escalating xenophobic hostility, with multiple viral videos showing threats, intimidation, and attempts by mobs to target foreign nationals.
In one such video, a Nigerian trader was confronted during an anti-immigrant protest and ordered to leave the country with his family.
“How come you are here in South Africa to continue selling goods?” one of the men asked.
Despite explaining his long stay and livelihood, the trader’s plea was dismissed.
“I didn’t come to South Africa today. I have been here for a long time. The only thing is what I’m doing to feed my children,” he said.
The group, however, insisted that foreigners were no longer welcome.
“From now on, we don’t want foreigners in this town. We are fixing our South Africa now,” one voice declared.
“Take your wife and go back to your country. Take your children and go and raise them at home,” a second voice said.
In another disturbing development, an Ethiopian national was shot dead in what appeared to be a targeted killing in downtown Johannesburg, further heightening concerns over the safety of foreign nationals.
CCTV footage circulating online showed the victim being approached and shot at close range at a busy intersection, with no immediate provocation or robbery, suggesting a deliberate attack.
Authorities confirmed that no arrests had been made and investigations were ongoing.
Amid the violence, the South African Police Service condemned acts of intimidation against foreigners.
“These actions are not only unlawful, but they stand in direct opposition to the values of dignity, equality, and human rights upon which our democracy is founded,” the police said.
Nigerians seek help
Reacting, the Nigerian Citizens Association in South Africa warned of increasing hostility, harassment, and alleged police brutality against Nigerians and other African nationals.
NICASA President, Frank Onyekwelu, described the situation as alarming and called for urgent intervention by Nigerian and African leaders.
“We are alarmed by the increasing normalisation of hostility, manifested through inflammatory rhetoric by certain political actors, unlawful intimidation, and discriminatory enforcement practices by some law enforcement personnel.
