Consulate demands justice over alleged attacks, deaths of Nigerians in South Africa

The Nigerian Consulate-General in Johannesburg has expressed deep concern over the deaths of three Nigerians within a span of four days in South Africa. Amb. Ninikanwa Okey-Uche, the Consul-General, made this statement on Monday following the separate incidents that occurred between September 18 and 21, 2026. The victims were Kenechukwu Christopher Igwemmadú, Olaniyi Olaleye Olatunde, and Christian Hillary Nnaemeka.

Igwemmadú was found dead on September 18 after allegedly jumping to his death while attempting to escape police harassment and brutality at Kenlin Court in Bloemfontein's Central Business District. Olatunde, a security guard at Spanata Bar and Grills Night Club in Pretoria, was shot in the lower body part on September 20 during an altercation with a South African customer who was allegedly trying to leave the club with a club-owned cup. Olatunde subsequently passed away due to his injuries on September 21.

The third victim, Nnaemeka, was allegedly tortured and killed on September 21 by South African politician and investigative content creator, Xolani Khumalo, and his team members in Primrose, Ekurhuleni. The Consulate alleges that despite no incriminating evidence against Nnaemeka, the team still arrested, beat, and tortured him before he attempted to escape by jumping over a fence. He collapsed from injuries and exhaustion and was pronounced dead upon arrival at the hospital.

The Nigerian Consulate has described these incidents as "deeply troubling" and has called on South African authorities to thoroughly investigate the deaths and bring the perpetrators to justice. The Consulate also emphasizes that allegations of wrongdoing should not justify extrajudicial actions, and all lives, including Nigerians, matter.

This is not the first time Nigerians have faced such incidents in South Africa; according to the High Commissioner Femi Fani-Kayode, there have been 12 Nigerian deaths in South Africa so far in 2026, with 112 deaths since 2022, including 32 killed by South African security forces.