Former Minister of Aviation Femi Fani-Kayode has condemned the reported killings of two Nigerians in South Africa, describing the incidents as “unacceptable” and warning that there could be consequences if attacks on Nigerians continue.
Bishop Michael Taiwo Fakunle and James Uchechukwu Nwankwo were reportedly killed in separate incidents in Johannesburg.
Fani-Kayode, in a statement posted on his X handle on Saturday, expressed concern over what he described as a worsening pattern of attacks against Nigerians despite repeated appeals to the South African government.
He said Fakunle was allegedly shot dead at his home on September 4 after receiving a series of threats.
Fani-Kayode also alleged that Nwankwo died on September 5 following what he described as “gruesome interrogation techniques” by officers of the South African Police Service.
According to the former minister, Fakunle and Nwankwo were the seventh and eighth Nigerians reportedly killed in South Africa in 2026, with four of the eight deaths allegedly involving South African police officers.
He further claimed that more than 100 Nigerians had been killed in South Africa since 2022, including over 30 allegedly killed by personnel of the South African Police Service and South African Defence Force.
Fani-Kayode expressed concern that, despite repeated complaints, no arrests, prosecutions or convictions had been recorded in connection with the alleged killings.
“This is unacceptable,” he said, urging the South African government to strengthen the protection of Nigerians in the country and ensure that those responsible for the attacks are brought to justice.
“No one deserves to be targeted and murdered simply because they are Nigerian,” he said, adding that the Nigerian community and diplomatic mission in South Africa were increasingly concerned about the safety of their nationals.
Fani-Kayode also raised concerns over a reported September 30 deadline issued by some South African organisations demanding that African nationals, including Nigerians, leave the country.
He described the organisations behind the ultimatum as “racist, xenophobic and Afrophobic” and accused them of threatening African nationals who fail to comply.
The former minister called on the South African government to protect Nigerians and other African nationals from what he described as the excesses of such groups and ensure that perpetrators face the full force of the law.
He warned that continued attacks against Nigerians could strain relations between the two countries.
“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,” Fani-Kayode said.
He added: “Simply put, our patience is wearing thin.”
Fani-Kayode also noted that South Africans living in Nigeria were not subjected to similar attacks by Nigerians or Nigerian security agencies, urging the South African government to reciprocate by protecting Nigerian nationals and addressing their concerns.
He prayed for the repose of the souls of Fakunle and Nwankwo.
His comments came after the National Assembly suspended all official visits to South Africa and directed lawmakers, committees, officials and staff to boycott legislative activities hosted or organised by South African authorities over reported persistent xenophobic attacks against Nigerians and other African nationals.
