The Nigerian Consulate-General in Johannesburg has condemned the deaths of three Nigerian nationals in separate incidents across South Africa between September 18 and 21, describing the cases as deeply troubling.
Consul-General Ninikanwa Okey-Uche named the victims as Kenechukwu Christopher Igwemmadú, Olaniyi Olaleye Olatunde and Christian Hillary Nnaemeka in a statement issued on Monday.
According to the consulate, Igwemmadú allegedly jumped to his death on September 18 while attempting to escape police harassment and brutality at Kenlin Court on Douglas Street in Bloemfontein’s Central Business District.
Two days later, Olatunde, a security guard, was shot at Spanata Bar and Grills Night Club in Mamelodi East, Pretoria, after trying to stop a customer from leaving with a club cup. “This resulted in an altercation and the South African pulled out his firearm and shot OLATUNDE in his lower body part, leading to a serious injury and profuse loss of blood,” the statement said. He died in hospital on September 21.
The third victim, Nnaemeka, was allegedly tortured and killed on September 21 during an operation by a content creation team led by South African politician and investigative creator Xolani Khumalo in Primrose, Ekurhuleni. “Despite not finding anything incriminating on the deceased, the crew arrested, beat and tortured him before he eventually attempted to escape from the team by jumping over a fence,” the consulate stated. He collapsed and was pronounced dead on arrival at hospital.
The consulate linked the latest deaths to a broader pattern, noting a previous case in February involving the same individual. It called on South African authorities to investigate thoroughly and prosecute those responsible. “Our position remains that NIGERIAN AND ALL LIVES MATTER,” the statement said. “In cases where allegations may exist, no matter what the allegations may be, there are processes and steps to justice. All should be presumed innocent and granted fair hearing in a court of law.”
Nigeria’s High Commissioner to South Africa, Femi Fani-Kayode, said the three deaths brought the total number of Nigerians killed in South Africa in 2026 to 12, and 112 since 2022. “Not one person has been brought to justice or convicted for ANY of these crimes,” he said, appealing for protection of Nigerian nationals and prosecution of perpetrators.
The consulate urged Nigerians in South Africa to remain calm, law-abiding and security-conscious amid ongoing insecurity and reported xenophobic attacks.
