The Nigerian Consulate in Johannesburg has confirmed the killing of two Nigerians in South Africa amid rising attacks on foreign nationals of African origin. The Consul-General, Ninikanwa Okey-Uche, identified the victims as Amaramiro Emmanuel and Ekpenyong Andrew on Monday.
Reports indicate that incidents of xenophobic violence have been increasing in parts of South Africa, with recent videos showing attacks on African migrants circulating widely online. Earlier, the Nigerian Embassy in South Africa issued a warning about violent demonstrations in cities including East London, Cape Town, Durban, and across KwaZulu-Natal, as well as planned protests in Gauteng Province.
According to the consul-general, the two Nigerians were killed by personnel of the South African National Defence Force in Port Elizabeth.She explained that the victims were allegedly assaulted by security operatives. Ekpenyong Andrew’s body was discovered on April 19, days after his arrest in the Booysens area of Pretoria.
He had reportedly been detained following an altercation with members of the Tshwane Metro Police, and his remains were later found at the Pretoria Central Mortuary. The second victim died on April 20 from injuries sustained during an earlier attack by security personnel.
Okey-Uche described the incidents as shocking to the victims’ families, the Nigerian community, and diplomatic missions.She confirmed that a formal case has been opened with the South African Police Service and is currently under investigation. “We welcome this development and underscore the importance of ensuring the investigation is conducted in a thorough, transparent, and impartial manner,” she said.
She also called on authorities, including the Independent Police Investigative Directorate, to speed up inquiries and establish the full facts surrounding the incidents. The consulate noted it is actively engaging with relevant South African authorities while closely monitoring developments. It further urged that those responsible be brought to justice, stressing the need for due process and respect for the rule of law.Okey-Uche also advised Nigerians living in South Africa to remain law-abiding as tensions persist.
Source: https://www.premiumtimesng.com/
