Nigerian bishop, one other killed in South Africa

Two Nigerians, Bishop Michael Fakunle and James Nwankwo, were killed in separate incidents in Johannesburg, South Africa. Fakunle was murdered at his home on September 4 after receiving threats; Nwankwo died on September 5 following alleged "gruesome interrogation techniques" by South African police. Former Minister of Aviation and ambassador-designate to South Africa, Femi Fani-Kayode, expressed shock over the murders, citing seven and eight Nigerian fatalities in South Africa in 2026, with over 100 killed since 2022.

He criticized the lack of arrests and justice for these killings, urging the South African government to protect Nigerians and bring perpetrators to justice. Fani-Kayode also condemned a new deadline for Nigerian nationals to leave South Africa by September 30, alleging it was issued by xenophobic NGOs. The Nigerian Citizens Association South Africa and the Consulate General in Johannesburg condemned Fakunle's killing, with the association reporting two suspects entered his home and fatally shot him.