Nigeria Demands Probe Into Deaths of Three Nigerians in South Africa as Toll Hits 12

The Nigerian Consulate-General in Johannesburg has called on South African authorities to investigate the deaths of three Nigerians killed in separate incidents between September 18 and 21, 2026, amid renewed concerns over violence against foreign nationals.

Consul-General Ninikanwa Okey-Uche, in a statement issued on Monday, said authorities must establish the circumstances surrounding the deaths of Kenechukwu Christopher Igwemmadu, Olaniyi Olaleye Olatunde and Christian Hillary Nnaemeka. She also called for anyone found responsible to be held accountable under the law.

According to the consulate, Igwemmadu died on September 18 after allegedly jumping from a building while attempting to escape what the mission described as police harassment and brutality at Kenlin Court in Bloemfontein. Olatunde, a security guard, was reportedly shot two days later in Pretoria following an altercation at a nightclub.

The third victim, Nnaemeka, died on September 21 in Primrose, Ekurhuleni. The consulate said the circumstances surrounding his death also required investigation. The three deaths bring the number of Nigerians reportedly killed in South Africa this year to at least 12.

Nigeria’s ambassador-designate to South Africa, Lesotho and Eswatini, Femi Fani-Kayode, has put the number of Nigerians killed in South Africa since 2022 at about 112. He also said 32 of the victims were killed by members of South African security forces and raised concerns that no one had been convicted in connection with the cases. These figures are claims by the Nigerian envoy and have not been independently established in the reports.

The latest deaths come against the backdrop of wider tensions over violence targeting migrants in South Africa. Nigeria has previously demanded investigations into deaths of its citizens, while the Nigerian parliament recently suspended official engagements with South African authorities over the violence.

The violence has also prompted repatriation efforts involving Nigerians and citizens of other African countries. Reports say more than 1,640 Nigerians have been repatriated from South Africa since June, while Ghana, Mozambique and Malawi have also evacuated citizens amid security concerns.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has attributed the violence to illegal migration and what he called “opportunists” exploiting public grievances, while promising that his government would act against those responsible for criminal acts. The latest diplomatic calls from Nigeria are now focused on establishing the circumstances of the three deaths and securing accountability where wrongdoing is established.