The Federal Government has confirmed the deaths of two Nigerians in separate incidents in South Africa, raising fresh concerns over attacks on foreigners.
Oluwafemi Adeniyi, spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, named the victims as Taiwo Fakunle and James Nwankwo in a statement on Friday.
Fakunle was killed at his home in Kensington, Johannesburg, on September 4. Nwankwo reportedly died the next day in Somerset, Cape Town, during what the ministry called “gruesome interrogation techniques” by South African Police Service (SAPS) officers.
The ministry urged South African authorities to carry out full and transparent investigations and ensure those responsible face justice. It described the reported treatment of Nwankwo as “unacceptable”.
The deaths came two months after two other Nigerians were killed in South Africa. The ministry said repeated attacks and property destruction targeting Nigerians and other Africans raise concerns about efforts to stop such violence.
It also faulted South Africa for failing to sign an agreed memorandum of understanding on an early warning system.
Nigeria is considering “other concrete measures”, including taking the issue before ECOWAS and the African Union.
The National Assembly has also suspended legislative engagements with South Africa.
The ministry said the government remains committed to protecting Nigerians in South Africa.
