Tensions between locals and Nigerian expatriates in Pretoria escalated as protesters gathered outside the Nigerian Embassy, demanding the deportation of Nigerians and accusing them of involvement in criminal activities.
The protest follows a wave of violent unrest in KuGompo City on March 30, 2026, where angry demonstrators reportedly set vehicles ablaze and looted shops believed to be linked to foreign nationals.
The crisis was triggered after viral videos showed Nigerian expatriate Solomon Ogbonna Eziko being crowned “Igwe Ndigbo Na East London,” a traditional Igbo diaspora title. The development sparked outrage among some South Africans, who viewed the ceremony as an overreach of cultural influence.
In response, South African authorities declared the coronation unlawful, citing violations of the country’s traditional leadership laws. However, Nigeria’s High Commission in South Africa defended the event, maintaining that it was purely a cultural and non-political celebration intended to unite members of the Igbo community in the diaspora.
The situation has heightened fears of xenophobic attacks, with concerns growing over the safety of Nigerians and other foreign nationals residing in South Africa.
Security agencies are reportedly monitoring the situation closely as diplomatic tensions simmer between both countries.
