By Ayomide Otitoju
Former Minister of Aviation Femi Fani-Kayode has condemned the reported killings of two Nigerians in South Africa, describing the incidents as “unacceptable” and warning that there would be consequences if attacks against Nigerians continued.
Bishop Michael Taiwo Fakunle and James Uchechukwu Nwankwo were reportedly killed in separate incidents in Johannesburg on September 4 and 5, respectively.
Fani-Kayode, in a statement posted on his X handle on Saturday, said Fakunle was allegedly shot dead at his home after receiving threats, while Nwankwo reportedly died following what he described as “gruesome interrogation techniques” by officers of the South African Police Service.
He claimed the two men were the seventh and eighth Nigerians killed in South Africa in 2026, alleging that four of the eight deaths involved South African police officers.
Fani-Kayode further alleged that more than 100 Nigerians had been killed in South Africa since 2022, with over 30 reportedly killed by members of the South African Police Service and South African Defence Force.
He criticised the alleged lack of arrests or prosecutions over the deaths and called on the South African government to do more to protect Nigerians and bring perpetrators to justice.
“No-one deserves to be targeted and murdered simply because they are Nigerian,” he said, expressing concern over the fear within the Nigerian community in South Africa.
The former minister also raised concerns over a reported September 30 deadline issued by some South African non-governmental organisations for African nationals, including Nigerians, to leave the country.
He described the groups as racist and xenophobic and said they had allegedly threatened African nationals who failed to comply.
Fani-Kayode warned that Nigeria could take action if the killings and discrimination against its citizens continued.
“Whilst we seek to establish stronger and deeper ties with the South African Government one thing remains clear. If this vicious cycle of discrimination against and killing of our nationals do not stop there will be consequences,” he said.
His comments came after the National Assembly suspended official visits to South Africa and directed lawmakers, committees, officials and staff to boycott legislative activities hosted or organised by South African authorities over reported persistent xenophobic attacks against Nigerians and other African nationals.
