South Africa Police, military masterminding killing of Nigerians, Fai-Kayode raises alarm

Nigerian High Commissioner Femi Fani-Kayode has expressed deep shock and outrage over the alleged involvement of South African police and military in the killing of Nigerian nationals within the country. In a statement released on September 6, Fani-Kayode disclosed that over 100 Nigerians have been murdered in xenophobic attacks in South Africa over the past four years, with 30 of these deaths directly linked to South African police and defense force personnel.

The most recent victims were Bishop Michael Taiwo, who was murdered by gunmen in Johannesburg on September 4, and James Uchechukwu Nwankwo, who died after allegedly being subjected to "gruesome interrogation techniques" by South African police the following day. Fani-Kayode insisted that eight Nigerians have been murdered in South Africa this year alone, with four of these victims being killed by South African police officers.

Despite widespread public outcry, no arrests have been made in connection with these heinous crimes. Fani-Kayode urged the South African government to take immediate action to protect Nigerian nationals and hold those responsible for these murders accountable. He also called on South African authorities to address the threats from xenophobic and racist organizations that have demanded the deportation of Nigerians by September 30.

Fani-Kayode emphasized that South Africa should reciprocate the same level of protection for Nigerian citizens that Nigeria offers to South Africans.