Over 30 Nigerians Killed by South African Police in Four Years - Ambassador

Over 30 Nigerians have been killed by the South African police in the last four years, says the Nigerian Ambassador to South Africa, Femi Fani-Kayode.

In a Facebook post on Friday night, Mr Fani-Kayode said there is a worrying trend of the South African Police Service and South African Defence Force mistreating Nigerians in the country. He said this abuse sometimes leads to deaths.

He also estimated that over 100 Nigerian nationals have died within the same period, including eight in 2026.

"No less than 4 amongst the 8 were murdered by South African police officers."

"Outside of that over 100 Nigerian nationals have been murdered in South Africa between 2022 and today and over 30 of them were killed by officers of the South African Police Service and South African Defence Force."

"Nigeria’s patience is running thin," he declared.

The post came after the announcement of two more Nigerians' deaths, which Mr Fani-Kayode said raised the total number of Nigerians killed in 2026 alone to eight.

PREMIUM TIMES reported that the latest victims, James Nwankwo and Taiwo Fakunle, were killed last weekend.

The Nigerian Consulate in Johannesburg shared details about their murder earlier on Friday. Mr Nwankwo was reportedly killed by South African Police Service (SAPS) officials in Somerset West, Cape Town, on the 5th of September.

He is the latest Nigerian to be killed allegedly by the South African Police Service since April, when the recent wave of xenophobic violence started.

Mr Fani-Kayode said Mr James "died as a consequence of what has been described as gruesome interrogation techniques by the South African police."

The other Nigerian, Taiwo Fakunle, was shot on 4 September at his home in Johannesburg.

"After issuing a series of threats, his killers went to his home and shot him dead," Mr Fani-Kayode said, describing the victim as a bishop.

The killers are still not known.

"What is most disturbing is the fact that despite our constant expressions of concern about this disturbing state of affairs, not one person has been arrested, detained, prosecuted or brought to justice for ANY of these heinous crimes. This is unacceptable," the ambassador noted.

Mr Fani-Kayode also mentioned that a new deadline has been set for black foreigners in South Africa to leave the country.

An arbitrary deadline of 30 June was issued earlier. This paper reported that the deadline increased tensions as many South Africans marched in different cities to protest the presence of African migrants in the country.

The new deadline, like the last one, was set by "brazenly racist, xenophobic and Afrophobic" groups, according to Mr Fani-Kayode.

He also stated that these groups have openly threatened to target and harm Nigerians and other African foreigners if their "illegal deadline is not complied with."

"The Nigerian community in South Africa is deeply disturbed by these developments and lives in fear of what could happen next. So is the Nigerian Mission in South Africa," he added.

Mr Fani-Kayode demanded that the South African government protect African foreigners from the excesses of xenophobic groups and their misguided members.

He asked the government to "apply the full weight of the law against them for their lawless behaviour."

He warned of possible consequences if the "vicious cycle of discrimination against and killing" continues.

"South Africans are not targeted and killed in Nigeria by our people or our security forces.

"The least the South African Government can do is to reciprocate this gesture, protect our nationals and address our legitimate concerns," he said.

The xenophobic attacks in South Africa have led to thousands of Africans leaving the country. Countries that have repatriated many of their citizens include Nigeria, Ghana, Zimbabwe and Malawi.