- The Federal Government has warned South Africa of potential diplomatic countermeasures if the persistent targeting and killing of Nigerian citizens are not immediately addressed.
- The warning follows the June 28, 2026, deaths of Emeka Charles Iroegbu, who was allegedly tortured by metro police, and Musa Yunana Joe, who was shot outside his shop.
- Nigeria also strongly condemned inflammatory remarks by a South African official, labeling them as hate speech that incites xenophobic violence.
The Federal Government of Nigeria has issued a stern warning to South Africa, stating that it may consider severe measures if the persistent attacks and killings targeting its citizens are not halted.
Condemning the recent murders of two Nigerian nationals, Eko Hot Blog reports that the government demanded an immediate, transparent investigation and expressed deep concern over the safety of foreigners and the apparent resurgence of xenophobic hostility.
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The two latest victims, Emeka Charles Iroegbu and Musa Yunana Joe, popularly known as Big Joe, were both killed on June 28, 2026.
Iroegbu was allegedly tortured to death by officers of the Tshwane Metro Police in Sunnyside, Pretoria, during a gruesome interrogation.
Joe was shot dead by unidentified criminals outside his shop in Witbank, Mpumalanga.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs noted that the same metro police officers implicated in Iroegbu’s death were also allegedly involved in the extrajudicial killing of another Nigerian, Nnaemeka Mathew Andrew Ekpenyong, on April 20, 2026, yet no arrests have been made despite their identities being known to the South African Police Service.
In a series of statements issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Nigerian Consulate General in Johannesburg, and the Nigerian Union South Africa, authorities demanded swift prosecution of the perpetrators.
The Ministry explicitly stated that all diplomatic options remain on the table if the provocative, apartheid-style behavior against foreigners is not curbed.
Furthermore, Abuja expressed outrage over derogatory remarks made by a South African government spokesperson who challenged fleeing Nigerians to reveal where illegal drugs were hidden.
The Nigerian government condemned the statement as unprofessional hate speech that incites violence against its diaspora community.
Ambassador Ninikanwa Okey-Uche, the Nigerian Consul General in Johannesburg, alongside the leadership of the Nigerian Union South Africa, confirmed they are actively working with the High Commission in Pretoria to monitor the situation.
While the evacuation process remains open for registered citizens wishing to leave, the government urged Nigerians residing in South Africa to remain calm, vigilant, and law-abiding, advising them to relocate to safer areas and strictly avoid retaliatory actions.
