Nigeria demands probe after two citizens killed in South Africa amid rising xenophobia concerns

An anti-migrant demonstrator throws a bottle at a building in Johannesburg, South Africa. (Photo: Oupa Nkosi/REUTERS via DW)

By Rachael Mutabasi
Sunday, July 5, 2026

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Nigeria has demanded urgent investigations into the killing of two of its citizens in South Africa, amid rising concerns over xenophobic attacks and alleged police misconduct.

Nigeria has condemned the killing of two of its citizens in South Africa and is demanding urgent investigations, amid growing concerns over attacks targeting foreign nationals and rising anti-migrant sentiment.

In a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Abuja, the government said Emeka Charles Iroegbu and Musa Yunana Joe were killed on June 28, 2026, in separate incidents it described as part of a worrying pattern of violence against Nigerians in South Africa.

The ministry said Iroegbu was allegedly killed in Sunnyside, Pretoria, by officers of the Tshwane Metro Police Department during what it called gruesome interrogation techniques. It also referenced an earlier case involving another Nigerian, Nnaemeka Mathew Andrew Ekpenyong, who was allegedly killed in April by the same officers, with no arrests made despite identified suspects.

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It also condemned remarks attributed to a South African government spokesperson, who was reported to have asked Nigerians leaving the country due to xenophobic protests to indicate where they were hiding illegal drugs.

“Such derogatory, unprofessional and uncensored generalised public statements constitute hate speech that influences and incites negative and criminal actions against members of the Nigerian community,” it said.

Abuja urged South African authorities to conduct urgent investigations into the killings and ensure those responsible are brought to justice, warning that continued incidents could raise issues of international responsibility.

The government expressed sympathy to the families of the victims and urged Nigerians in South Africa to remain calm, vigilant, and avoid high-risk areas as diplomatic engagement continues over the matter.