Outrage in Nigeria Over Killings of Two Nationals in SA

The killings of two Nigerian nationals, Bishop Michael Fakunle and James Nwankwo, in South Africa have sparked significant outrage among Nigerians. Fakunle, an indigene of Iye in the Ilejemeje Local Government Area of Ekiti State, was allegedly shot dead at his home in Johannesburg on September 4, following threats he had received.

Nwankwo reportedly died on September 5 after suffering from what was described as “gruesome interrogation techniques” allegedly employed by officers of the South African Police Service. These incidents have intensified fears regarding the safety of Nigerians and other African nationals in South Africa, particularly in light of ongoing xenophobic attacks and police brutality allegations.

Femi Fani-Kayode, Nigeria’s ambassador-designate to South Africa, stated that Fakunle and Nwankwo were the seventh and eighth Nigerians murdered in South Africa this year, with over 100 Nigerians reportedly killed since 2022. In response, the National Assembly of Nigeria suspended all official visits to South Africa and called for a boycott of legislative activities hosted by South African authorities.

South Africa’s Minister of International Relations, Ronald Lamola, noted that no official communication regarding the boycott had been received.