Nigeria's Consulate General in Johannesburg is demanding justice for two Nigerians killed on the same day in South Africa, as the country's anti-immigrant climate grows increasingly dangerous for African foreigners.
50-year-old Emeka Charles Iroegbu was killed on June 28 in Sunnyside, Pretoria, by officers of the Tshwane Metro Police.
According to the consulate, the gruesome interrogation techniques used by the officers led to his death.
In the same city, Musa Yunana Joe was killed by suspected criminals in Witbank, Mpumalanga.
Both deaths were announced by Consul General, Ambassador Ninikanwa O. Okey-Uche, in separate public notices issued on Saturday.
The consulate's condemnation of Iroegbu's death was particularly pointed, coming against the backdrop of an earlier, unresolved case.
On April 20, 2026, the same Tshwane Metro Police were allegedly responsible for the extrajudicial killing of another Nigerian, Nnaemeka Mathew Andrew Ekpenyong.
That case remains pending, with no arrests made, despite four officers involved being known to South African authorities.
"No matter what the allegations or suspicions may be, there are lawful processes and steps to justice," the consulate said.
"All must be presumed innocent and granted a fair hearing in a court of law. No one should take laws into their own hands."
The consulate noted that Iroegbu's killing comes at a time when foreigners in South Africa are being "unduly targeted," raising questions about what it described as a deliberate attempt to wrongfully criminalise Nigerians in the country.
South Africa's Anti-Immigrant Protests
The timing could hardly be more fraught. South African anti-immigrant groups, including Operation Dudula and the more recently prominent March and March movement, have been ramping up pressure on the government to expel undocumented migrants, with some factions issuing a June 30 deadline demanding that foreigners leave the country.
The ultimatum sparked panic among Nigerian and other African communities across South Africa's major cities.
Nigeria had already begun responding to the deteriorating situation before the two deaths were announced.
More than 1,000 Nigerians registered for repatriation, and the government has so far evacuated more than 800 people, with more flights planned for the coming days.
This is part of a broader regional response that also saw Ghana repatriate close to 300 of its citizens.
The consulate is calling on South African authorities to investigate both killings urgently and bring those responsible to justice.
It is also urging Nigerians remaining in the country to stay calm, law-abiding, and security-conscious amid the ongoing xenophobic and afrophobic demonstrations.
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