The Nigerian Consulate-General in Johannesburg has raised fresh concerns over the safety of Nigerians in South Africa after three nationals died in separate incidents between September 18 and 21, 2026.
Consul-General Ambassador Ninikanwa Okey-Uche disclosed the development in a statement on Monday, identifying the deceased as Kenechukwu Christopher Igwemmadú, Olaniyi Olaleye Olatunde and Christian Hillary Nnaemeka.
The first incident occurred on September 18 in Bloemfontein.
According to the Consulate, Igwemmadú died after allegedly jumping from a building while trying to escape what it described as police harassment and brutality at Kenlin Court on Douglas Street in the city’s Central Business District.
Two days later, Olatunde was shot at the Spanata Bar and Grills Night Club in Mamelodi East, Pretoria.
Olatunde, who worked as a security guard at the club, was reportedly involved in a dispute with a customer over a cup belonging to the premises.
The Consulate alleged that the customer pulled out a firearm during the confrontation and shot Olatunde in the lower part of his body.
It said the suspect fled the scene but later returned and allegedly threatened witnesses who could identify him to the police.
Olatunde was taken to Mamelodi Hospital for treatment but died from his injuries. Doctors pronounced him dead on September 21.
The same day, another Nigerian, Nnaemeka, reportedly died in Primrose, Ekurhuleni, following an encounter with members of the Sizok’thola investigative team led by South African politician and content creator Xolani Khumalo.
The Consulate alleged that Nnaemeka was arrested during the operation and subjected to assault despite the team reportedly finding nothing incriminating on him.
According to the statement, he later attempted to escape by jumping over a fence before collapsing from his injuries and exhaustion.
He was taken to hospital but was pronounced dead on arrival, the Consulate said.
The diplomatic mission also referred to the death of Emeka Clement Uzor, whom it said was shot during an operation involving Khumalo’s television crew in Windsor East, Randburg, on February 9.
The Consulate said no arrests had been made in that case and raised concerns over what it described as a possible pattern of violence against Nigerians in South Africa.
“OUR POSITION REMAINS THAT NIGERIAN AND ALL LIVES MATTER,” the statement said, while urging South African authorities to investigate the latest incidents and prosecute anyone found responsible.
The Consulate also stressed that allegations against individuals should be handled through the legal system rather than through extrajudicial actions.
It appealed to Nigerians living in South Africa to remain calm, law-abiding and alert while authorities investigate the cases.
Nigeria’s High Commissioner to South Africa, Femi Fani-Kayode, also reacted to the deaths.
He said the latest incidents had raised the number of Nigerians reportedly killed in South Africa in 2026 to 12.
Fani-Kayode further claimed that 112 Nigerians had been killed in South Africa since 2022, including 32 allegedly killed by members of the country’s security forces.
He called on South African authorities to ensure the protection of Nigerians and bring those responsible for the killings to justice.
The Consulate extended its condolences to the families of the three victims and said it would continue to monitor the cases while working to safeguard the interests of Nigerians in South Africa.
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