3 Nigerian nationals killed in South Africa in 4 days

Tuesday, September 29, 2026 - The Nigerian Consulate-General in Johannesburg has called on South African authorities to investigate the deaths of three Nigerian nationals in separate incidents between September 18 and 21, 2026.

The Consulate made the call in a statement dated September 28 and signed by the Consul-General, Nnikanwa Okey-Uche.

The deaths occurred in Bloemfontein, Pretoria and Ekurhuleni, according to the statement.

Former Nigerian Minister of Aviation and Nigeria’s High Commissioner to South Africa, Femi Fani-Kayode, who shared the statement on X, said the latest deaths brought to 12 the number of Nigerians he said had been killed in South Africa in 2026.

Fani-Kayode also claimed that 112 Nigerians had been killed in South Africa since 2022, including 32 allegedly killed by members of the country’s security forces. 

According to the consulate, the first incident occurred on September 18, when Kenechukwu Christopher Igwemmadu allegedly jumped to his death while attempting to escape what the mission described as police harassment and brutality at Kenlin Court on Douglas Street in the Central Business District of Bloemfontein.

The Consulate said it expected the relevant South African authorities to investigate the circumstances surrounding his death.

Two days later, on September 20, Olaniyi Olaleye Olatunde was reportedly shot at Spanata Bar and Grills Night Club in Mamelodi East, Pretoria.

The Consulate said the incident followed an altercation after Olatunde, who was working as a security guard at the club, attempted to stop a South African customer from leaving with a cup belonging to the club.

According to the statement, the customer allegedly pulled out a firearm and shot Olatunde in the lower part of his body, causing serious injuries and severe blood loss.

The alleged shooter reportedly fled the scene but later returned and threatened witnesses who might report the incident to the police, the consulate said.

Olatunde was taken to Mamelodi Hospital but died from his injuries on the morning of September 21, according to the mission.

The third case involved Christian Hillary Nnaemeka, who died on September 21 following an encounter with South African politician and investigative content creator Xolani Khumalo and members of his Sizok’thola team in Primrose, Ekurhuleni.

The consulate alleged that Nnaemeka was arrested, assaulted and tortured by members of the team after they approached him during an operation.

It said the team allegedly found nothing incriminating on him, but that he was nevertheless assaulted before attempting to escape by jumping over a fence.

Nnaemeka reportedly collapsed from injuries and exhaustion and was taken to hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

The consulate also recalled the death of another Nigerian, Emeka Clement Uzor, who was shot dead on February 9 during an encounter with Khumalo’s reality television crew in Windsor East, Randburg.

According to the consulate, no arrests had been made in connection with Uzor’s death at the time of the statement.

The mission said the latest deaths, occurring within a short period, had raised concerns about the safety of Nigerians and other African foreigners in South Africa.

It also referred to reports of xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks, threats, insecurity and alleged ill-treatment of vulnerable Black African foreigners, particularly Nigerians.

The consulate called on South African authorities to conduct thorough investigations and bring anyone found responsible to justice.

“Our position remains that NIGERIAN AND ALL LIVES MATTER,” the consulate said.

It urged Nigerians in South Africa to remain calm, law-abiding and security conscious.

Reacting to the statement on X, Fani-Kayode called on South African authorities to protect Nigerians and prosecute those responsible where investigations establish criminal liability.

He said the latest deaths brought the number of Nigerians allegedly murdered in South Africa in 2026 to 12 and claimed that 112 had been killed since 2022.

He further claimed that 32 of those killed since 2022 were victims of actions by South African security personnel.

“Not one person has been brought to justice or convicted for ANY of these crimes,” Fani-Kayode wrote.

The latest cases come amid continuing concerns raised by Nigerian organisations about the safety of Nigerians living and working in South Africa.