Nigeria Condemns Killings of Nationals in South Africa

The Federal Government of Nigeria condemned the recent killings of two Nigerian nationals, Bishop Taiwo Michael Fakunle and Mr. James Uchechukwu Nwankwo, in South Africa. Bishop Fakunle was murdered at his residence in Kensington, Johannesburg, on September 4, 2026, while Nwankwo was killed the following day in Somerset, Cape Town.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, through spokesperson Oluwafemi Adeniyi, expressed profound shock over these incidents, which were described as particularly disturbing given the ongoing xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks against foreigners in South Africa. The ministry criticized the alleged use of "gruesome interrogation techniques" by officers of the South African Police Service that contributed to the deaths.

Nigeria called for immediate and transparent investigations into the circumstances surrounding the killings and emphasized the need for South African authorities to ensure justice. The Nigerian government has consistently raised concerns about the safety of its citizens in South Africa through diplomatic channels and is considering further measures to secure cooperation from South African authorities.