S’Africa silent as outrage trails killing of two Nigerians

Over the past year, there have been at least eight instances of Nigerian nationals being killed in South Africa, according to Nigeria's ambassador-designate to South Africa, Femi Fani-Kayode. Two of these victims, Bishop Michael Fakunle and James Nwankwo, were murdered in separate incidents in September. Fakunle was allegedly shot dead at his Johannesburg residence after receiving threats, while Nwankwo died following what was described as brutal interrogation techniques by South African police.

The deaths have sparked outrage among Nigerians, who have called for justice and protection from xenophobic attacks. However, despite numerous expressions of concern, no arrests or prosecutions have been made in these cases. The National Assembly of Nigeria has suspended all official visits to South Africa in response, but South Africa’s Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola, stated that the decision has not yet impacted bilateral relations between the two countries.

Nigerian citizens have reacted strongly to the killings on social media, with some calling for stronger measures against the South African government. However, calls for vigilance against generalizing South Africans as a people were also made.