Two more Nigerian nationals have been killed in South Africa, bringing the total number of Nigerians killed in a recent surge of xenophobic violence and security force actions to seven, diplomatic officials confirmed Friday.
The Nigerian Consulate in Johannesburg identified the victims as Taiwo Fakunle and James Nwankwo. Fakunle was killed on Sept. 4 by unidentified attackers at his home in Johannesburg. Nwankwo died the following day during an operation by the South African Police Service (SAPS) in Somerset West, Cape Town.
Nwankwo is the sixth Nigerian national to die in encounters involving South African security agencies since April. Previous fatalities include Amaramiro Emmanuel and Ekpenyong Andrew in April during military interactions, Emeka Iroegbu in June, and Ibeh Simon during a police operation in Bellville on July 23.
No arrests have been made in connection with any of the seven deaths, and investigations remain open.
In a statement released Friday, the Nigerian Consulate criticized what it described as the criminal profiling of foreign nationals and called on South Africa’s Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) to fast-track its inquiries into police involvement.
Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs also issued a statement condemning the killings and expressing concern over security force interrogation practices. The ministry requested an immediate and transparent investigation from South African authorities to identify and prosecute those responsible.
Anti-foreigner hostility in South Africa has escalated since April, fueled by public demonstrations and demands for foreign workers to leave the country. In response to the safety risks, several governments—including Nigeria, Ghana, Mozambique, Malawi, and Zimbabwe—have begun repatriating their citizens from South Africa.
