…Accuses Officials of Fueling Xenophobia, Demands Justice Amidst Evacuation of Nigerians
By Chike Ofili
The Federal Government has strongly condemned the killing of two Nigerian nationals in South Africa amid renewed anti-foreigner protests, warning that it may invoke unspecified measures if attacks against Nigerians continue.
The government also accused some South African officials of making inflammatory statements that encourage hostility towards foreign nationals, particularly Nigerians, and demanded the immediate prosecution of those responsible for the latest killings.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa, identified the victims as Emeka Charles Iroegbu and Musa Yunana Joe.
According to the ministry, Iroegbu was allegedly killed on 28 June 2026, by officers of the Tshwane Metro Police in Sunnyside, Pretoria, during what it described as the use of “gruesome interrogation techniques.”
The second victim, Yunana Joe, popularly known as Big Joe, was reportedly shot dead in front of his shop on the same day in Witbank, Mpumalanga Province.
The Federal Government alleged that the same Tshwane Metro Police officers implicated in Iroegbu’s death were also linked to the extrajudicial killing of another Nigerian, Nnaemeka Mathew Andrew Ekpenyong, in April 2026.
It expressed concern that despite the identities of the four officers allegedly involved being known to the South African Police Service (SAPS), no arrests have been made and the earlier case remains unresolved.
According to the ministry, the latest killings occurred against the backdrop of growing anti-foreigner demonstrations and a disturbing trend of targeting Nigerians and other foreign nationals.
It warned that attempts to portray law-abiding Nigerians as criminals were heightening tensions and putting innocent lives at risk.
“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,” the statement said.
The ministry added that records compiled by Nigeria’s diplomatic missions in South Africa could form the basis for criminal liability.
While acknowledging South Africa’s serious security challenges, the Federal Government argued that foreigners should not be scapegoated for the country’s socio-economic problems.
“It is a fact that South Africa currently has one of the highest rates of crime globally, including the culture of looting and mob action. Nigerians are more civil in our engagements with foreign nationals, and we always uphold the rule of law when dealing with illegalities. It is therefore unfair to target foreigners and make them scapegoats of endemic socio-economic conditions that need to be addressed by the authorities,” the ministry stated.
The government also condemned remarks reportedly made by a South African government spokesperson during a televised interview, in which Nigerians leaving the country amid the unrest were allegedly challenged to disclose where they concealed illegal drugs.
Describing the comments as “unguarded,” inflammatory, and unacceptable, Abuja said such statements amounted to hate speech capable of inciting violence against Nigerians.
The ministry further warned that individuals and groups promoting anti-foreigner violence, including organisations such as March on March and Operation Dudula, could be held accountable under regional and international law for inciting attacks against fellow Africans.
The Federal Government called on South African authorities to immediately investigate the latest killings and other unresolved cases involving Nigerians, insisting that those responsible must be brought to justice without delay.
It stressed that irrespective of any allegations against individuals, suspects must be presumed innocent and accorded a fair hearing through the judicial process rather than subjected to extrajudicial killings.
The government expressed condolences to the families of the victims and pledged to continue diplomatic engagement with Pretoria until justice is secured.
It also urged Nigerians residing in South Africa to remain calm, law-abiding, and security-conscious by avoiding areas prone to violence and relocating to safer neighbourhoods where necessary.
According to the ministry, Nigeria remains committed to resolving the crisis through diplomacy in line with its long-standing foreign policy of promoting African unity, brotherhood, and peaceful coexistence.
The statement further noted that South African nationals and businesses continue to operate freely and safely in Nigeria, arguing that Pretoria has a corresponding obligation under international law to guarantee the safety and property of Nigerians legally resident in South Africa.
It warned that the systematic targeting of Nigerians was unacceptable and placed the South African government on notice that “all options remain on the table” should what it described as an “uncultured and provocative trend of intolerance and apartheid-style behaviour against foreigners” persist.
The Federal Government, however, appealed to Nigerians at home not to engage in retaliatory actions against South African interests, saying dialogue and negotiation remain the preferred path to resolving the crisis.
Meanwhile, the evacuation of Nigerians wishing to leave South Africa is continuing, with another batch of registered returnees arriving safely in Lagos as the government intensifies efforts to assist citizens affected by the renewed wave of xenophobic violence.