THREE NIGERIANS DIE IN SOUTH AFRICA WITHIN FOUR DAYS AS CONSULATE DEMANDS INVESTIGATIONS

Nigeria's Consulate-General in Johannesburg has called for thorough investigations into the deaths of three Nigerian nationals in separate incidents in South Africa within four days.

The deaths occurred between September 18 and 21, 2026, in Bloemfontein, Pretoria and Ekurhuleni.

The victims were identified as Kenechukwu Christopher Igwemmadu, Olaniyi Olaleye Olatunde and Christian Hillary Nnaemeka.

Consul-General Ninikanwa Okey-Uche said the incidents occurring in quick succession had renewed concerns about the safety and treatment of Nigerians and other African foreigners living in South Africa.

The Consulate is demanding that South African authorities establish the circumstances surrounding each death and prosecute anyone found criminally responsible.

FIRST VICTIM DIES IN BLOEMFONTEIN

According to the Consulate's account, Igwemmadu died on September 18 at Kenlin Court on Douglas Street in Bloemfontein.

The Nigerian mission alleges that he jumped from a building while attempting to escape what it described as police harassment and brutality.

The circumstances surrounding that incident have not yet been independently established.

The Consulate has called on the relevant South African authorities to investigate what happened and determine whether any wrongdoing occurred.

SECURITY GUARD SHOT AFTER NIGHTCLUB ALTERCATION

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

According to the Consulate, Olatunde worked as a security guard at the establishment.

The mission said an altercation began after Olatunde allegedly attempted to prevent a customer from leaving the nightclub with a cup belonging to the business.

The customer allegedly produced a firearm and shot Olatunde in the lower part of his body.

He suffered serious injuries and severe blood loss.

The Consulate is seeking an investigation into the shooting and accountability if criminal responsibility is established.

THIRD DEATH IN EKURHULENI

The third case involved Christian Hillary Nnaemeka, who died on September 21 following an encounter in Primrose, Ekurhuleni.

According to the Nigerian Consulate, the incident involved South African politician and investigative television personality Xolani Khumalo and members of the Sizok’thola team.

The Consulate alleged that Nnaemeka was arrested, assaulted and tortured during the encounter.

Those allegations have not been established by a court.

The Nigerian Union in South Africa has separately demanded an independent and transparent investigation into Nnaemeka's death and called for everyone connected to the incident to be identified and investigated.

The organization said anyone found to have acted unlawfully should face prosecution.

CONSULATE RAISES SAFETY CONCERNS

The Nigerian mission said the three deaths within such a short period had raised serious questions about the safety of Nigerians in South Africa.

It urged Nigerians living in the country to remain calm, law abiding and security conscious while authorities investigate the incidents.

The Consulate also referred to wider concerns surrounding xenophobic and Afrophobic threats, insecurity and alleged mistreatment of vulnerable African foreigners.

However, the circumstances surrounding each of the three latest deaths are different, and investigations have not established that they were connected.

Authorities will therefore need to determine the facts of each case separately.

HIGH COMMISSIONER SAYS 12 NIGERIANS KILLED THIS YEAR

Nigeria's High Commissioner to South Africa, Femi Fani-Kayode, said the latest deaths brought the number of Nigerians killed in South Africa this year to 12.

He also claimed that 112 Nigerians have been killed in the country since 2022, including 32 allegedly killed by members of South African security forces.

Those broader figures are claims made by the High Commissioner and have not been independently verified by VNTV.

Fani-Kayode called on South African authorities to investigate the latest incidents and ensure that anyone responsible for criminal acts is brought to justice.

The Consulate also expressed condolences to the families of the three men and said it would continue engaging South African authorities over the welfare and fair treatment of Nigerian nationals.

The latest deaths come amid heightened concern over the safety of Nigerians in South Africa and add further pressure on authorities in both countries to establish exactly what happened in each case.

For now, Nigerian officials are demanding investigations, evidence and accountability rather than allowing the circumstances surrounding the three deaths to remain unresolved.