The Federal Government has condemned the recent killings of two Nigerian nationals in South Africa, calling for thorough, transparent and expeditious investigations into the circumstances surrounding their deaths.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in a statement signed by its spokesperson, Oluwafemi Adeniyi, on Friday, identified the victims as Bishop Taiwo Michael Fakunle and James Uchechukwu Nwankwo.

According to the ministry, Fakunle was murdered at his residence in Kensington, Johannesburg, on September 4, 2026.

Nwankwo, it said, died in Somerset, Cape Town, on September 5 following what it described as “gruesome interrogation techniques” allegedly used by officers of the South African Police Service, SAPS.

The Federal Government said the deaths occurred amid widespread xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks targeting foreigners, particularly Africans, in South Africa.

It expressed concern that the incidents raised questions about the safety of foreigners in the country and the commitment of South African authorities to curbing targeted attacks against them.

Nigeria also criticised the alleged conduct of law enforcement officers, saying authorities responsible for protecting lives and property should not worsen an already fragile situation by resorting to unacceptable interrogation techniques.

“Nigeria views these incidents with grave concern and condemns the killings of Bishop Fakunle and Mr Nwankwo in the strongest terms possible,” the ministry said.

The Federal Government called on relevant South African authorities to immediately commence thorough and transparent investigations into the circumstances surrounding the two deaths.

It said those responsible should be identified and brought to justice in accordance with the law, adding that it expected the cases to be given the attention and urgency required.

The government also raised concerns over the implementation of a proposed bilateral mechanism aimed at addressing xenophobia and Afrophobia.

According to the ministry, Nigeria has signed the Memorandum of Understanding on the Establishment of an Early Warning Mechanism, which emerged from bilateral discussions with South Africa, but South Africa is yet to sign the agreement.

Nigeria said it had previously raised recurring waves of xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks in South Africa before the Authority of Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), and the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union (AU).

The Federal Government added that it was “actively considering other concrete measures” to secure the cooperation of South African authorities on the issue.

It also extended condolences to the families of Fakunle and Nwankwo, as well as their friends and the wider Nigerian community in South Africa.

The ministry said it prayed for the peaceful repose of the deceased and for strength for their families to bear the loss.

The Federal Government has condemned the recent killings of two Nigerian nationals in South Africa, calling for thorough, transparent and expeditious investigations into the circumstances surrounding their deaths.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in a statement signed by its spokesperson, Oluwafemi Adeniyi, on Friday, identified the victims as Bishop Taiwo Michael Fakunle and James Uchechukwu Nwankwo.

According to the ministry, Fakunle was murdered at his residence in Kensington, Johannesburg, on September 4, 2026.

Nwankwo, it said, died in Somerset, Cape Town, on September 5 following what it described as “gruesome interrogation techniques” allegedly used by officers of the South African Police Service, SAPS.

The Federal Government said the deaths occurred amid widespread xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks targeting foreigners, particularly Africans, in South Africa.

It expressed concern that the incidents raised questions about the safety of foreigners in the country and the commitment of South African authorities to curbing targeted attacks against them.

Nigeria also criticised the alleged conduct of law enforcement officers, saying authorities responsible for protecting lives and property should not worsen an already fragile situation by resorting to unacceptable interrogation techniques.

“Nigeria views these incidents with grave concern and condemns the killings of Bishop Fakunle and Mr Nwankwo in the strongest terms possible,” the ministry said.

The Federal Government called on relevant South African authorities to immediately commence thorough and transparent investigations into the circumstances surrounding the two deaths.

It said those responsible should be identified and brought to justice in accordance with the law, adding that it expected the cases to be given the attention and urgency required.

The government also raised concerns over the implementation of a proposed bilateral mechanism aimed at addressing xenophobia and Afrophobia.

According to the ministry, Nigeria has signed the Memorandum of Understanding on the Establishment of an Early Warning Mechanism, which emerged from bilateral discussions with South Africa, but South Africa is yet to sign the agreement.

Nigeria said it had previously raised recurring waves of xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks in South Africa before the Authority of Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), and the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union (AU).

The Federal Government added that it was “actively considering other concrete measures” to secure the cooperation of South African authorities on the issue.

It also extended condolences to the families of Fakunle and Nwankwo, as well as their friends and the wider Nigerian community in South Africa.

The ministry said it prayed for the peaceful repose of the deceased and for strength for their families to bear the loss.