The Nigerian Consulate-General in Johannesburg has condemned the deaths of three Nigerians in separate incidents across South Africa between September 18 and 21, 2026.
The Consul-General, Ambassador Ninikanwa Okey-Uche, disclosed this in a statement issued on Monday, raising concerns over the safety of Nigerians and other foreigners in the country.
The victims were identified as Kenechukwu Christopher Igwemmadú, Olaniyi Olaleye Olatunde and Christian Hillary Nnaemeka.
According to the Consulate, Igwemmadú allegedly died after jumping from a building in Bloemfontein on September 18 while trying to escape what it described as police harassment and brutality.
Two days later, Olatunde was shot 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 attempted to stop a South African customer from leaving the club with a cup belonging to the establishment.
It alleged that the customer pulled out a firearm and shot Olatunde in the lower body, causing severe blood loss.
Olatunde was taken to Mamelodi Hospital but died from his injuries on September 21, according to the Consulate.
The third victim, Nnaemeka, allegedly died after an encounter with South African politician and investigative content creator Xolani Khumalo and members of his Sizok’thola team in Primrose, Ekurhuleni.
The Consulate alleged that Nnaemeka was arrested, assaulted and tortured during the operation despite the team allegedly finding nothing incriminating on him.
It said he later attempted to escape by jumping over a fence but collapsed from his injuries and exhaustion before being pronounced dead at a hospital.
The Consulate also recalled the February 9 death of another Nigerian, Emeka Clement Uzor, who it said was shot by Khumalo’s reality television crew in Windsor East, Randburg.
It called on South African authorities to thoroughly investigate the deaths and prosecute anyone found responsible.
The Consulate stressed that allegations of wrongdoing should not be used to justify extrajudicial actions, saying suspects should be presumed innocent and given a fair hearing in court.
Meanwhile, Nigeria’s High Commissioner to South Africa, Femi Fani-Kayode, said the latest deaths had brought the number of Nigerians killed in South Africa in 2026 to 12.
Fani-Kayode also claimed that 112 Nigerians had been killed in South Africa since 2022, including 32 allegedly killed by members of the South African security forces.
He called on the South African authorities to protect Nigerians and ensure that those responsible for the killings are brought to justice.
The Consulate urged Nigerians living in South Africa to remain calm, law-abiding and security-conscious amid concerns over attacks and insecurity affecting foreign nationals.
