The Nigerian Consulate General in Johannesburg has demanded justice over the deaths of three Nigerian nationals in separate incidents across South Africa between September 18 and 21, 2026, amid renewed concerns over the safety of Nigerians in the country.
Consul-General, Amb. Ninikanwa Okey-Uche, in a statement, calls on South African authorities to establish the circumstances surrounding the deaths and ensure that anyone found responsible faces the law.
The Consulate says Kenechukwu Christopher Igwemmadu dies on September 18 after allegedly jumping from a building while attempting to escape alleged police harassment and brutality at Kenlin Court on Douglas Street, Bloemfontein.
Two days later, Olaniyi Olaleye Olatunde, a Nigerian security guard, is allegedly shot by an unidentified South African at Spanata Bar and Grills Night Club in Mamelodi East, Pretoria, following an argument over a cup belonging to the club.
According to the Consulate, Olatunde suffers a gunshot wound and is taken to Mamelodi Hospital, where he dies on September 21. It says the alleged shooter later returns to the club and threatens witnesses before leaving the scene.
The third case involves Christian Hillary Nnaemeka, who the Consulate says dies on September 21 following an alleged encounter with South African politician and investigative content creator Xolani Khumalo and members of his Sizok’thola team in Primrose, Ekurhuleni.
The Consulate alleges that Nnaemeka is assaulted and tortured during the encounter before attempting to escape. It says he later collapses from his injuries and exhaustion and is pronounced dead after being taken to hospital.
Okey-Uche also recalls the February 9 death of another Nigerian, Emeka Clement Uzor, who the Consulate says is shot during an encounter with Khumalo’s reality television crew in Windsor East, Randburg, adding that no arrests have been made in that case.
The Consulate says the recent deaths raise concerns about the treatment and security of Nigerians and other African foreigners in South Africa, amid what it describes as xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks, threats and other forms of ill-treatment.
“Nigerian and all lives matter,” Okey-Uche says, stressing that allegations must be handled through due process, with suspects presumed innocent and given the opportunity to defend themselves in court. The Consulate also urges Nigerians to remain calm, law-abiding and security-conscious while it continues to pursue their welfare and fair treatment.
