Following the latest killings of two Nigerians, the federal government has warned South Africa to end the wave of xenophobic attacks against Nigerians or risk consequences.
This is as the Nigerian government accused some South African officials of promoting anti-Nigerian rhetoric that fuels violence against its citizens.
In a statement issued by the Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa, Nigeria also demanded urgent investigations into the killings and other unresolved cases involving its nationals, insisting that those responsible must be brought to justice while cautioning that “all options remain on the table” if the attacks and what it described as apartheid-style intolerance persist.
The government condemned the killing of Emeka Charles Iroegbu, who was allegedly tortured to death by officers of the Tshwane Metro Police in Sunnyside, Pretoria, on June 28, 2026, and Musa Yunana Joe, popularly known as Big Joe, who was shot dead by unidentified gunmen outside his shop in Witbank, Mpumalanga, on the same day.
The government noted that the officers allegedly linked to the earlier extrajudicial killing of another Nigerian, Nnaemeka Mathew Andrew Ekpenyong, in April remain at large despite being known to the South African Police Service, describing the recurring attacks as evidence of a disturbing pattern that raises questions about the safety of Nigerians and other foreigners in South Africa.
“The continuing pattern of such terrible incidents is clearly evidence of complicity on the part of security operatives, especially officers of the Tshwane Metro Police, which raises the question of state responsibility under international law.
“The recorded data collated by our missions lays the groundwork for criminal liability. It is a fact that South Africa currently has one of the highest rates of crime globally, including the culture of looting and mob action.
“Nigerians are more civil in our engagements with foreign nationals, and we always uphold the rule of law when dealing with illegalities. It is therefore unfair to target foreigners and make them scapegoats of endemic socio-economic conditions that need to be addressed by the authorities.” The statement reads
It also condemned a recent televised remark by a South African government spokesperson asking Nigerians fleeing xenophobic violence to reveal where they hide illegal drugs, describing the statement as derogatory, unprofessional and inflammatory hate speech capable of inciting further attacks against law-abiding Nigerians living in the country.
“Nigeria expresses great concern over the recently televised public statement by the spokesperson of the South African government, asking Nigerians leaving the country due to the ongoing xenophobic protests to show where they hide illegal drugs.
“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.
“The gang leaders of groups such as March on March and Operation Dudula, who incite violence and hate against fellow Africans, will also be held to account as a matter of regional and international criminal liability.
“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.
“Our position remains that no matter what the allegations or suspicions may be, there are lawful processes and steps to justice. All must be presumed innocent and granted a fair hearing in a court of law.
“The federal government sympathises with the families and associates of the deceased and will continue to engage the highest authorities in South Africa until justice is served.
“With the volatile security situation, we appeal to our nationals to remain calm, law-abiding and security-conscious, especially due to the ongoing xenophobic and afrophobic demonstrations in the country. They are advised to move to safer neighbourhoods and avoid areas that are prone to violent activities while the government continues to explore diplomatic solutions to address the growing scourge of Afrophobia in South Africa.
“The Government of Nigeria wishes to reiterate the fact that there are numerous South African nationals and businesses operating safely in Nigeria without harassment of any kind. Likewise, it is the responsibility of the South African government to protect the lives and property of all foreigners, including Nigerian nationals, living in the country. Therefore, the systematic targeting of Nigerian nationals who are legally residing in South Africa is not acceptable, and their safety should be guaranteed.
“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 statement reads
The federal government also called on the general Nigerian public to remain calm and not take the law into their hands with retaliatory actions, saying, “We will continue to pursue dialogue and negotiations in the spirit of African unity, brotherhood and solidarity, which are the cornerstones of Nigeria’s foreign policy in resolving the unfortunate developments.”
Leave a Reply