The Federal Government has demanded immediate investigations into the deaths of two Nigerians in South Africa.
A statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs identified the deceased as Bishop Taiwo Michael Fakunle and James Uchechukwu Nwankwo.
According to the statement, Fakunle was murdered in his residence in Kensington, Johannesburg, on September 4, 2026, while Nwankwo was allegedly killed in Somerset, Cape Town, on September 5 following “gruesome interrogation techniques” by officers of the South African Police Service.
The Nigerian government stated that the deaths were particularly disturbing given the prevailing concerns over violence targeting Nigerians and other African nationals in South Africa.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Citizens Association South Africa and the Nigerian Consulate General in Johannesburg have condemned the killing of Fakunle.
NICASA’s National President, Rev. Frank Onyekwelu, said two suspects allegedly gained access to the Bishop’s residence and opened fire on him, reportedly shooting him more than seven times.
Onyekwelu said the association had reported the incident to the Nigerian Consulate General in Johannesburg and that a murder case had been opened at Jeppe Police Station.
Also, the Consulate General said Fakunle was killed by unidentified assailants at his residence in Kensington, Johannesburg, describing the incident as a “gruesome murder.”
The mission called on the relevant South African authorities to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding the killing and ensure that anyone found responsible was prosecuted.
