Killings: FG warns S’Africa, threatens tough action

The Federal Government has warned that Nigeria may consider additional measures if attacks on its citizens in South Africa persist.

This is as the country condemned the killing of two Nigerian nationals in South Africa and demanded immediate investigations, warning that the continued targeting of foreigners, particularly Nigerians, raises serious concerns about their safety and the resurgence of xenophobic violence in the country.

The victims, Emeka Charles Iroegbu and Musa Yunana Joe, popularly known as Big Joe, were both killed on June 28, 2026.

While Iroegbu was allegedly tortured to death by officers of the Tshwane Metro Police in Sunnyside, Pretoria, Joe was reportedly shot dead by unidentified criminals outside his shop in Witbank, Mpumalanga.

In separate statements issued on Sunday by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Nigerian Consulate General in Johannesburg and the Nigerian Union South Africa, authorities called for prompt, transparent and exhaustive investigations to ensure that those responsible were apprehended and prosecuted without delay.

“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 from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated.

The government described the incidents as part of a disturbing pattern of violence against Nigerians in South Africa, noting that the same Tshwane Metro Police officers allegedly implicated in the killing of another Nigerian, Nnaemeka Mathew Andrew Ekpenyong, on April 20, have yet to be arrested despite being known to the South African Police Service.

In the statement issued on Sunday by the spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa, the government expressed outrage over the deaths.

The statement said, “One victim, Emeka Charles Iroegbu, was reportedly killed by Tshwane Metro Police officers on 28th June 2026, in Sunnyside, Pretoria, using gruesome interrogation techniques.”

The government further recalled that the same officers were allegedly involved in the extrajudicial killing of another Nigerian, Nnaemeka Mathew Andrew Ekpenyong, on April 20, 2026.

“His case is still pending; no arrests have been made, even though the four officers involved are known to the South African Police Service,” the statement added.

The ministry noted that the killings occurred amid rising xenophobic tensions and increasing attacks on foreigners in South Africa, warning against attempts to stereotype Nigerians as criminals.

“These two killings come at a time when foreigners are being unduly targeted in South Africa. This raises questions about a deliberate attempt by some elements to wrongfully generalise and tag well-meaning, hard-working, and respectable Nigerians as criminals,” it stated.

The Federal Government also accused some South African security operatives, particularly officers of the Tshwane Metro Police, of complicity in the attacks.

Nigeria further expressed concern over remarks reportedly made by a spokesperson of the South African government, who allegedly challenged Nigerians leaving the country because of xenophobic protests to reveal where illegal drugs were hidden.

The government described the comments as inflammatory and unacceptable.

“The unguarded public statements are unacceptable and are strongly condemned. Such derogatory, unprofessional and uncensored generalised public statements by highly placed government officials constitute hate speech that influences and incites negative and criminal actions against members of the Nigerian community,” the statement said.

The Federal Government called on South African authorities to launch immediate investigations into the killings and other unresolved cases involving Nigerian nationals.

“The Government of Nigeria, therefore, calls on the South African authorities to conduct urgent investigations into the two killings and several other pending cases of extrajudicial killings of Nigerian nationals in South Africa, and ensure that the perpetrators of the heinous crimes are brought to justice without further delay,” the ministry stated.

While sympathising with the families of the deceased, the government said it would continue engaging South African authorities at the highest levels until justice is achieved.

The ministry also advised Nigerians residing in South Africa to remain calm, law-abiding and vigilant, urging them to relocate to safer areas and avoid locations prone to violence amid ongoing xenophobic and Afrophobic demonstrations.

The ministry, however, appealed to Nigerians not to engage in retaliatory actions, stressing that the government would continue to pursue dialogue and negotiations in the spirit of African unity, brotherhood and solidarity.

It added that the evacuation process for registered Nigerians willing to leave South Africa remained ongoing.

Another statement signed by the Nigerian Consul General in Johannesburg, Amb Ninikanwa Okey-Uche, revealed that the officers of the Tshwane Metro Police killed Iroegbu, while Joe was murdered by some criminals.

“We continue to call on the South African authorities to investigate the cases and bring the perpetrators of the gruesome acts to justice without further delay,” the statement affirmed.

Also, the Nigerian Union South Africa “demands prompt, transparent and exhaustive investigation to ensure that the perpetrators are apprehended and face the full wrath of the law.”

The statement by the union’s spokesperson, Akindele Olunloyo, said the community was working with the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria and the Consulate General of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in Johannesburg to monitor the situation.

“In light of these tragic killings, we urge all Nigerians in South Africa to remain calm, law-abiding and vigilant. Please exercise extreme caution in your daily activities, know your surroundings, and report any suspicious activities to the local police,” it added. (Punch)