Three Nigerians killed in separate incidents in South Africa, Consulate demands justice

The Nigerian Consulate-General in Johannesburg has condemned the deaths of three Nigerians in separate incidents across South Africa between September 18 and 21, 2026.

In a statement issued on Monday, as reported by PUNCH, Consul-General Amb. Ninikanwa Okey-Uche identified the victims as Kenechukwu Christopher Igwemmadú, Olaniyi Olaleye Olatunde and Christian Hillary Nnaemeka.

Igwemmadú allegedly jumped to his death on September 18 while escaping police harassment in Bloemfontein. Olatunde, a security guard, was shot at a Pretoria nightclub two days later and died on September 21. Nnaemeka was allegedly tortured and killed in Ekurhuleni by politician and content creator Xolani Khumalo’s team.

The Consulate said, “The recent deaths of the three (3) Nigerians, coming in quick succession, also raises questions about what seems to be a pattern of targeting Nigerians in South Africa.”

Nigeria’s High Commissioner to South Africa, Femi Fani-Kayode, said the killings brought the number of Nigerians murdered there this year to 12.

He said, “Not one person has been brought to justice or convicted for ANY of these crimes.”

The Consulate urged South African authorities to investigate the deaths and prosecute those responsible.