Nigeria’s High Commissioner-designate to South Africa, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, has warned the South African Government over what he described as growing threats, killings and xenophobic attacks targeting Nigerians and other African nationals in the country.
Fani-Kayode raised the alarm following the recent deaths of two Nigerian nationals in Johannesburg, Bishop Michael Taiwo Fakunle and Mr James Uchechukwu Nwankwo.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the former Minister of Aviation said the deaths had heightened concerns over the safety of Nigerians living in South Africa.
According to him, Fakunle and Nwankwo were the seventh and eighth Nigerians reportedly killed in South Africa in 2026.
Fani-Kayode alleged that more than 100 Nigerians had been killed in South Africa since 2022, with over 30 of the deaths allegedly involving members of the South African Police Service and South African Defence Force.
He expressed concern that despite repeated complaints from Nigerian authorities, those responsible for the alleged killings had not been brought to justice.
The High Commissioner-designate also drew attention to a fresh September 30 deadline reportedly issued by some South African non-governmental organisations calling on African nationals, including Nigerians, to leave the country.
He condemned the alleged threats against Nigerians and urged the South African Government to intervene before the situation escalates.
Fani-Kayode said the Nigerian Government must be assured that its citizens would receive adequate protection and equal treatment while living in South Africa.
“No-one deserves to be targeted and murdered simply because they are Nigerian,” he said.
He called on South African authorities to investigate the recent deaths and other cases involving Nigerians, prosecute those found responsible and protect Nigerians from further attacks.
The former minister stressed that Nigeria remained committed to strengthening relations with South Africa but insisted that the safety and dignity of Nigerians in the country must be guaranteed.
He also urged South African authorities to address alleged xenophobic and Afrophobic activities by groups threatening African nationals.
Fani-Kayode said the Nigerian Mission and the Nigerian community in South Africa remained deeply concerned about the developments, adding that Nigerians in South Africa deserved the same protection accorded South Africans living in Nigeria.
He prayed for the repose of the souls of Fakunle and Nwankwo, while calling for justice for Nigerians who had allegedly suffered violence, torture and discrimination in South Africa.
