‘Stop xenophobia or else’ – Fani-Kayode warns South Africa

Nigeria's High Commissioner to South Africa, Femi Fani-Kayode, has delivered a strong message to the South African government, urging them to halt the violence against Nigerian citizens in their country. The warning emphasized that Nigeria's tolerance for xenophobic attacks on its nationals in South Africa has reached its limit. The appeal was issued in the wake of the killings of two Nigerian nationals, Bishop Michael Taiwo Fakunle and James Uchechukwu Nwankwo, both in Johannesburg.

Bishop Fakunle was discovered dead in his own residence in Kensington, Johannesburg, on September 4. According to reports, he was shot multiple times after two unidentified individuals gained entry into his home. Nwankwo met his end the following day, September 5, following an encounter with South African Police Service officers. The Nigerian Citizens Association South Africa disclosed that the cleric was killed after two suspects breached his home and attacked him.

Fani-Kayode expressed his profound shock and dismay over the tragic events. He described the bishop's murder as "mortifying" and "deeply shocking". Moreover, he brought to light the fact that Fakunle had received prior warnings of imminent danger. The High Commissioner also condemned the killing of Mr Nwankwo by officers of the South African Police Service in Johannesburg on September 5.