Two Nigerians have been killed in separate incidents in South Africa amid renewed concerns over xenophobic and anti-migrant attacks against foreigners.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed the deaths in a statement issued on Friday by its spokesperson, Oluwafemi Adeniyi.
The victims were identified as Taiwo Fakunle and James Nwankwo. According to the ministry, Fakunle was killed at his residence in Kensington, Johannesburg, on September 4, while Nwankwo died the following day in Somerset, Cape Town.
The ministry said Nwankwo was reportedly killed following the use of “gruesome interrogation techniques” by officers of the South African Police Service (SAPS).
The deaths have heightened concerns over the safety of Nigerians and other African nationals living in South Africa, where attacks and destruction of property targeting foreigners have been reported in recent months.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the latest incidents raise questions about the commitment of South African authorities to preventing targeted attacks against foreigners.
It expressed particular concern over the alleged involvement of law enforcement officers in Nwankwo’s death and what it described as the use of “unacceptable interrogation techniques” that have allegedly resulted in the deaths of foreigners.
The ministry also faulted South Africa for failing to sign a memorandum of understanding establishing an early warning mechanism agreed during bilateral discussions between Nigeria and South Africa.
The Federal Government called on South African authorities to conduct thorough and transparent investigations into the circumstances surrounding the two deaths.
It also demanded that anyone found responsible be identified and brought to justice.
According to the ministry, Nigeria is considering “other concrete measures” to secure South Africa’s cooperation following previous diplomatic efforts.
These measures could include taking recurring xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks against Nigerians and other Africans to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Authority of Heads of State and Government and the African Union Assembly of Heads of State and Government.
The latest killings come about two months after two other Nigerians were killed amid renewed anti-migrant tensions in South Africa.
The diplomatic tensions have also triggered action from Nigeria’s National Assembly.
On Friday, the National Assembly suspended all official visits to South Africa and directed lawmakers and officials to boycott South African-hosted or South African-organised legislative activities until further notice.
The decision covers parliamentary conferences, seminars, workshops, meetings and legislative exchanges, including virtual engagements hosted by South African legislative authorities.
