The Nigerian Consulate-General in Johannesburg has condemned the deaths of three Nigerians in separate incidents in South Africa between September 18 and 21, 2026.
The Consul-General, Ambassador Ninikanwa Okey-Uche, disclosed this in a statement on Monday, expressing concern over the safety of Nigerians and other foreign nationals in the country.
The deceased were identified as Kenechukwu Christopher Igwemmadú, Olaniyi Olaleye Olatunde and Christian Hillary Nnaemeka.
According to the Consulate, Igwemmadú died on September 18 after allegedly jumping from a building while attempting to escape what it described as police harassment and brutality in Bloemfontein.
The statement said, “On 18th September 2026, a Nigerian national, Kenechukwu Christopher IGWEMMADU, allegedly jumped to his death while trying to escape police harassment and brutality at Kenlin Court on Douglas Street, Central Business District (CBD), Bloemfontein.”
Olatunde was reportedly shot two days later at Spanata Bar and Grills Night Club in Mamelodi East, Pretoria, where he worked as a security guard.
The Consulate said the incident followed an argument after Olatunde allegedly attempted to prevent a South African customer from leaving the premises with a cup belonging to the club.
It said the customer allegedly produced a firearm and shot Olatunde in the lower part of his body.
The victim was taken to Mamelodi Hospital but reportedly died from his injuries on September 21.
The Consulate alleged that the suspect initially fled the scene but later returned and threatened witnesses who might identify him to the police.
The third victim, Nnaemeka, was allegedly assaulted and tortured during an operation involving South African politician and investigative content creator, Xolani Khumalo, and members of his Sizok’thola team in Primrose, Ekurhuleni.
The Consulate said the team allegedly detained and assaulted Nnaemeka after failing to find anything incriminating on him.
It stated, “According to the account, despite not finding anything incriminating on the deceased, the crew arrested, beat and tortured him before he eventually attempted to escape from the team by jumping over a fence.”
According to the Consulate, Nnaemeka later collapsed from injuries and exhaustion and was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
The Consulate also referred to the February 9 death of another Nigerian, Emeka Clement Uzor, who it said was shot in Windsor East, Randburg, by members of Khumalo’s reality television crew.
It expressed concern that no arrests had been made over Uzor’s death, adding that Khumalo was currently seeking election as Mayor of Ekurhuleni.
Describing the latest deaths as “deeply troubling,” the Consulate said the incidents raised concerns about what it described as a possible pattern of attacks against Nigerians in South Africa.
It stated, “The recent deaths of the three (3) Nigerians, coming in quick succession, also raises questions about what seems to be a pattern of targeting Nigerians in South Africa.”
The diplomatic mission called on South African authorities to investigate the incidents and ensure that anyone found responsible faces justice.
“We continue to call on relevant South African authorities to investigate the deaths thoroughly and bring the perpetrators of the gruesome acts to justice,” it said.
The Consulate also cautioned against taking the law into one’s hands, stressing that allegations of wrongdoing should be handled through established legal procedures.
“Our position remains that NIGERIAN AND ALL LIVES MATTER,” the statement said.
It added, “All should be presumed innocent and granted fair hearing in a court of law. No one should take laws into their own hands.”
The Consulate urged Nigerians in South Africa to remain calm, law-abiding and vigilant amid what it described as xenophobic and anti-African attacks, threats and insecurity affecting vulnerable foreign nationals.
Meanwhile, Nigeria’s High Commissioner to South Africa, Femi Fani-Kayode, said the latest incidents had increased the number of Nigerians killed in South Africa in 2026 to 12.
Fani-Kayode said, “This brings the total number of Nigerians murdered in South Africa this year alone to 12 whilst 112 have been murdered since 2022 with 32 of the victims being killed by members of the South African security forces.”
He also claimed that no person had been prosecuted or convicted over the deaths.
The High Commissioner condemned the killings and appealed to South African authorities to protect Nigerians and ensure that those responsible were brought to justice.
The Consulate-General extended its condolences to the families of the three deceased Nigerians and reaffirmed its commitment to the welfare and fair treatment of Nigerians in South Africa.
