Nigeria’s government has warned that it may take additional steps against South Africa if deadly attacks on Nigerian citizens continue, after two men were killed there in late June in incidents it linked to a wider pattern of xenophobic violence against foreigners, especially Nigerians.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the latest victims, Emeka Charles Iroegbu and Musa Yunana Joe, popularly known as Big Joe, were both killed on June 28, 2026 in separate incidents.
It explained that Iroegbu was allegedly tortured to death by officers of the Tshwane Metro Police in Sunnyside, Pretoria, during what it described as “gruesome interrogation techniques.”
The statement further recalled that the same group of officers was allegedly involved in the extrajudicial killing of another Nigerian, Nnaemeka Mathew Andrew Ekpenyong, on April 20, 2026, a case in which “no arrests have been made, even though the four officers involved are known to the South African Police Service.”
Joe, meanwhile, was reportedly shot dead by unidentified criminals outside his shop in Witbank, Mpumalanga, underscoring how ordinary business locations have become danger zones for Nigerians living and working in South Africa.
In a statement signed by Foreign Ministry spokesperson Kimiebi Ebienfa, the government condemned the killings and linked them to rising xenophobic and Afrophobic tensions.
The ministry warned that, “These two killings come at a time when foreigners are being unduly targeted in South Africa. This raises questions about a deliberate attempt by some elements to wrongfully generalise and tag well‑meaning, hard‑working, and respectable Nigerians as criminals.”
It accused some South African security operatives, particularly Tshwane Metro Police officers, of complicity in the pattern of attacks.
Abuja Warns ‘All Options Remain On The Table’
In its main statement, the Federal Government placed South Africa’s authorities on notice that continued attacks could trigger stronger responses from Nigeria.
It said, “We wish to place the Government of South Africa on notice that if the situation continues to persist, all options remain on the table, some of which will be activated if the uncultured and provocative trend of intolerance and apartheid‑style behaviour of South Africa against foreigners is not addressed.”
The government also reacted sharply to remarks reportedly made by a South African government spokesperson, who allegedly challenged Nigerians leaving the country over xenophobic protests to disclose where illegal drugs were hidden.
The ministry described those comments as inflammatory and dangerous.
It said, “The unguarded public statements are unacceptable and are strongly condemned. Such derogatory, unprofessional and uncensored generalised public statements by highly placed government officials constitute hate speech that influences and incites negative and criminal actions against members of the Nigerian community.”
Consequently, Abuja demanded immediate, thorough and transparent investigations into the June 28 killings and other pending cases involving Nigerians.
It stated, “The Government of Nigeria, therefore, calls on the South African authorities to conduct urgent investigations into the two killings and several other pending cases of extrajudicial killings of Nigerian nationals in South Africa, and ensure that the perpetrators of the heinous crimes are brought to justice without further delay.”
While sympathising with the families, the ministry pledged to continue engaging South African authorities at the highest levels until justice is achieved.
It further advised Nigerians in South Africa to remain calm, law‑abiding and vigilant, urging them to relocate to safer areas and avoid violence‑prone locations during ongoing xenophobic and Afrophobic demonstrations, and appealed to them not to engage in retaliatory actions, emphasising dialogue, African unity and solidarity.
The ministry added that evacuation arrangements for registered Nigerians willing to leave South Africa are still in progress.
Consulate And Diaspora Union Demand Justice
A separate statement by the Nigerian Consul General in Johannesburg, Ambassador Ninikanwa Okey‑Uche, confirmed the details of the two deaths.
It noted that Iroegbu was killed by Tshwane Metro Police officers, while Joe was murdered by criminals, and called again on South African authorities to act.
The Consulate said, “We continue to call on the South African authorities to investigate the cases and bring the perpetrators of the gruesome acts to justice without further delay.”
The Nigerian Union South Africa also issued its own statement, insisting that it “demands prompt, transparent and exhaustive investigation to ensure that the perpetrators are apprehended and face the full wrath of the law.”
Its spokesperson, Akindele Olunloyo, said the union is working closely with the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria and the Consulate General in Johannesburg to monitor developments.
The union added, “In light of these tragic killings, we urge all Nigerians in South Africa to remain calm, law‑abiding and vigilant. Please exercise extreme caution in your daily activities, know your surroundings, and report any suspicious activities to the local police.”
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