By Rabiu Bello
Former Minister of Aviation and Nigerian Ambassador-designate to South Africa, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, has condemned the killing of two Nigerians in Johannesburg within 48 hours, describing the incidents as part of a “vicious cycle of discrimination” that must be stopped or risk serious consequences.
In a press statement issued on Friday, Fani-Kayode said he was “mortified and deeply shocked” by the murder of Bishop Michael Taiwo Fakunle on September 4th and the death of Mr. James Uchechukwu Nwankwo on September 5th.
According to the statement, Bishop Fakunle was shot dead at his home in Johannesburg after receiving a series of threats from “unknown elements.”
Mr. Nwankwo, on the other hand, died “as a consequence of what has been described as ‘gruesome interrogation techniques’ by the South African Police Service,” also in Johannesburg.
Fani-Kayode said the two latest killings bring to eight the number of Nigerians murdered in South Africa this year alone. He added that at least four of the eight were allegedly killed by officers of the South African Police Service.
The former minister further raised alarm over a broader pattern of violence, stating that “over 100 Nigerian nationals have been murdered in South Africa between 2022 and today,” with “over 30 of them” allegedly killed by officers of the South African Police Service and the South African Defence Force.
He expressed frustration that despite repeated diplomatic protests by Nigeria, no suspect has been held accountable.
“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,” Fani-Kayode said. “This is unacceptable.”
The statement also flagged what it called fresh threats against African nationals in South Africa. Fani-Kayode noted that “yet another deadline has been issued to African nationals, including Nigerians, to leave South Africa by September 30th” by groups he described as “brazenly racist, xenophobic and Afrophobic South African Non-Governmental Organisations.”
He urged the South African government to intervene immediately and protect Nigerians from both state and non-state actors.
“We call on the South African Government to do far more to protect our nationals and to bring those that have killed or are planning to kill them to justice,” he said. “We also call on the South African Government to bring to justice those that take pleasure in traumatising, terrorising, torturing and killing our nationals.”
Fani-Kayode warned that Nigeria’s patience was wearing thin, even as both countries seek stronger bilateral ties.
“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,” he stated.
He contrasted the situation with Nigeria, saying: “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.”
Fani-Kayode said the Nigerian community in South Africa and the Nigerian Mission in the country “live in trepidation of what could happen next.”
The Nigerian government is yet to issue an official response to the latest incidents as of press time.
