The Federal Government has demanded immediate investigations into the deaths of two Nigerians in South Africa.
A statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs identified the deceased as Bishop Taiwo Michael Fakunle and James Uchechukwu Nwankwo.
According to the statement, Fakunle was murdered in his residence in Kensington, Johannesburg, while Nwankwo was allegedly killed after ‘gruesome interrogation techniques’ by officers of the South African Police Service in Sommerset, Cape Town.
The Nigerian government stated that the deaths were particularly disturbing given the prevailing concerns over violence targeting Nigerians and other African nationals in South Africa.
It called on South African authorities to immediately commence thorough and transparent investigations.
According to the Nigerian government, those responsible must be identified and brought to justice in accordance with the law.
“These killings, happening at a time when foreigners, particularly Africans, are grappling with the devastating impacts of widespread xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks in South Africa, raise questions about the safety of foreigners in the country and the commitment of the South African authorities to curbing targeted attacks against foreigners,” the statement said.
