Fani-Kayode Demands Justice for Nigerians Killed in SA

On September 13, 2026, Femi Fani-Kayode, the Nigerian High Commissioner-Designate to South Africa, condemned the alleged murders of two Nigerians, Bishop Michael Taiwo Fakunle and James Uchechukwu Nwankwo, in Johannesburg. Fakunle was reportedly shot dead on September 4 after receiving threats, while Nwankwo allegedly died from severe interrogation techniques by the South African Police Service (SAPS) on September 5.

Fani-Kayode noted that these incidents marked the seventh and eighth murders of Nigerians in South Africa in 2026, with four of these killings attributed to South African police officers. He claimed over 100 Nigerians have been murdered in South Africa since 2022, with more than 30 allegedly killed by SAPS and the South African Defence Force.

Despite ongoing concerns, no arrests have been made in connection with these killings. Fani-Kayode urged the South African government to enhance protections for Nigerians and condemned a deadline issued to African nationals to leave South Africa by September 30, labeling it as racist and xenophobic.