By RhemDy News
Nigeria's High Commissioner to the Republic of South Africa, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, has called on the South African Government to fish out and prosecute its citizens responsible for the recent killings of two Nigerians in the country.
The Nigerian envoy expressed shock and said he was mortified about the murder of Bishop Michael Taiwo Fakunle by unknown elements in Johannesburg on September 4, 2026.
Fani-Kayode expressed disgust that the cleric was shot dead after his killers had issued him a series of threats.
"I am equally shocked to hear about the murder of Mr. James Uchechukwu Nwankwo by officers of the South African Police Service again in Johannesburg on September 5th.
"He died as a consequence of what has been described as "gruesome interrogation techniques" by the South African police," he said.
The distraught envoy noted that Bishop Fakunle and Mr. Nwankwo were the 7th and 8th Nigerians to have been murdered in South Africa in 2026 alone.
"No less than 4 amongst the 8 were murdered by South African police officers.
"Outside of that, over 100 Nigerian nationals have been murdered in South Africa between 2022 and today, over 30 of them were killed by officers of the South African Police Service and South African Defence Force.
"What is most disturbing is the fact that in spite of our constant expressions of concern about this disturbing state of affairs not one person has been arrested, detained, prosecuted or brought to justice for ANY of these heinous crimes. This is unacceptable," Fani-Kayode said.
He called on the South African Government to do far more to protect Nigerians and "to bring those that have killed or are planning to kill them to justice".
Fani-Kayode maintained that no-one deserves to be targetted and murdered simply because they are Nigerians.
He further expressed the deep disturbance of the Nigerian community in South Africa by these developments, noting that they live in trepidation of what could happen next.
"So is the Nigerian Mission in South Africa. Equally disturbing is the fact that yet another deadline has been issued to African nationals, including Nigerians, to leave South Africa by September 30th.
"This deadline, like the last one, was issued by a number of brazenly racist, xenophobic and Afrophobic South African Non-Governmental Organisations who have openly threatened to target and harm our nationals if their illegal deadline is not complied with," he said.
He called on the South African Government to protect Nigerians from the excesses of racist organisations and their musguided members, and apply the full weight of the law against them for their lawless behaviour.
"We also call on the South African Government to bring to justice those that take pleasure in traumatising, terrorising, torturing and killing our nationals.
"Whilst we seek to establish stronger and deeper ties with the South African Government one thing remains clear.
"If this vicious cycle of discrimination against and killing of our nationals do not stop there will be consequences. Simply put our patience is wearing thin.
"South Africans are not targetted and killed in Nigeria by our people or our security forces.
"The least the South African Government can do is to reciprocate this gesture, protect our nationals and address our legitimate concerns," he added.
Fani-Kayode prayed for the souls of Bishop Fakunle and Nwankwor to rest in peace.
No comments:
Post a Comment