FG Threatens Action Over Fresh Killings of Nigerians in South Africa

• The Federal Government has warned that it may adopt stronger diplomatic measures after two Nigerians were killed in separate incidents in South Africa, accusing security operatives of complicity in the recurring attacks.

The Federal Government has accused South African security operatives of being complicit in the recurring killings of Nigerian citizens, following the deaths of two Nigerians in separate incidents.

Raising concerns over what it described as a disturbing pattern of attacks, the government warned that it may be forced to adopt stronger diplomatic measures if the killings persist.

In a statement issued on Sunday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, through its spokesperson, Kimiebi Ebienfa, identified the victims as Emeka Charles Iroegbu and Musa Yunana Joe.

According to the ministry, Iroegbu was allegedly killed on June 28 in Sunnyside, Pretoria, after being subjected to what it described as “gruesome interrogation techniques” by officers of the Tshwane Metro Police.

The ministry further alleged that the same officers had previously been linked to the extra-judicial killing of another Nigerian, Nnaemeka Mathew Andrew Ekpenyong, whose case remains unresolved despite the identities of the four officers allegedly involved being known to the South African Police Service.

The second victim, Musa Yunana Joe, popularly known as Big Joe, was reportedly shot dead outside his business premises in Witbank, Mpumalanga. Authorities are yet to identify those responsible for the attack.

Describing the incidents as alarming, the Federal Government said the repeated killings have heightened concerns over what it called the wrongful profiling of Nigerians in South Africa.

“The continuing pattern of such terrible incidents is clearly evidence of complicity on the part of security operatives, especially officers of the Tshwane Metro Police, which raises the question of state responsibility under International Law,” Ebienfa said.

He added that records compiled by Nigerian diplomatic missions in South Africa point to possible criminal liability and stressed that the country’s crime challenges should not be used to justify attacks on foreigners.

“It is unfair to target foreigners and make them scapegoats of endemic socio-economic conditions that need to be addressed by the authorities,” he added.

The ministry called on South African authorities to launch immediate investigations into the latest killings and other unresolved cases involving Nigerian nationals, while ensuring that those responsible are brought to justice.

It also warned that Nigeria would not hesitate to consider stronger measures if the attacks and alleged extra-judicial killings continue.

“We wish to place the Government of South Africa on notice that if the situation continues to persist, all options remain on the table, some of which will be activated if the uncultured and provocative trend of intolerance and apartheid-style behaviour of South Africa against foreigners is not addressed,” the statement said.

The Federal Government extended its condolences to the families of the deceased and assured them that it would continue engaging with South African authorities at the highest level until justice is served.

The latest incidents have renewed concerns over the safety of Nigerians living in South Africa, amid ongoing reports of xenophobic attacks and violence targeting foreign nationals.