By George Omagbemi
JOHANNESBURG — September 29, 2026: Nigeria’s High Commissioner to South Africa, Femi Fani-Kayode, has called for thorough investigations into the deaths of three Nigerian nationals in separate incidents across South Africa between September 18 and 21, urging authorities to establish the facts and ensure due process in each case.
The call followed a statement issued by the Nigerian Consulate-General in Johannesburg on Monday by the Consul-General, Amb. Ninikanwa Okey-Uche, who described the deaths as deeply troubling and called on South African authorities to investigate the circumstances and bring anyone found responsible to justice. The Consulate also urged Nigerians in South Africa to remain calm, law-abiding and security-conscious.
The victims were identified as Kenechukwu Christopher Igwemmadu, Olaniyi Olaleye Olatunde and Christian Hillary Nnaemeka, whose deaths occurred in Bloemfontein, Pretoria and Primrose, Ekurhuleni, respectively.
According to the Consulate’s statement, Igwemmadu died on September 18 after allegedly falling from a building while attempting to escape what it described as police harassment and brutality at Kenlin Court in Bloemfontein.
Olatunde, a security guard at a nightclub in Mamelodi East, Pretoria, was reportedly shot on September 20 following an altercation with a customer and later died from his injuries. Nnaemeka died on September 21 following an alleged encounter with Xolani Khumalo and members of his Sizok’thola team in Primrose. The circumstances surrounding the deaths remain subject to investigation.
The Consulate stressed that allegations of wrongdoing must be handled through established legal procedures, noting that suspects should be presumed innocent and given a fair hearing rather than being subjected to extrajudicial action. It also expressed concern over what it described as continuing xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks, threats and ill-treatment affecting Nigerians and other African nationals.
Fani-Kayode, in a statement following the Consulate’s report, said the Nigerian Mission would continue to press for justice and the protection of Nigerians in South Africa.
He said the three latest deaths brought the number of Nigerians reportedly killed in South Africa in 2026 to 12, while putting the figure since 2022 at 112, including 32 cases he said involved South African security personnel. Fani-Kayode’s figures were based on Mission and community compilations and should not be treated as judicial findings.
He also called for an update on the February 9 death of Emeka Clement Uzor, saying no arrest had been reported to the Nigerian Mission in that case.
Fani-Kayode said Nigeria would pursue the cases through evidence, due process and diplomatic channels while respecting South Africa’s sovereignty.
He urged authorities to establish the facts in each case and ensure accountability where wrongdoing is established, while calling for the longstanding relationship between Nigeria and South Africa to remain intact.
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