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Nigeria demands justice after two nationals killed in South Africa
Nigerian High Commissioner-designate Femi Fani-Kayode has demanded urgent action from the South African government following the deaths of two Nigerian nationals in Johannesburg. Bishop Michael Taiwo Fakunle was reportedly shot dead at his home on September 4 after receiving threats, while James Uchechukwu Nwankwo died on September 5 following alleged brutal interrogation by South African Police Service (SAPS) officers.
Fani-Kayode stated that these incidents bring the number of Nigerians allegedly murdered in South Africa in 2026 to eight, with four of those deaths involving South African security personnel. He further claimed that over 100 Nigerians have been killed in South Africa since 2022, including more than 30 allegedly killed by SAPS or South African Defence Force personnel. He expressed deep concern that no arrests or prosecutions have been made despite repeated diplomatic warnings.
In response to the violence, human rights lawyer Femi Falana has urged the Nigerian government to take legal action against South Africa, potentially through the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights. Additionally, the Nigerian Union South Africa (NUSA) has condemned the killings and called for enhanced safety measures for the Nigerian community.
Entities
Femi Falana · Femi Fani-Kayode · James Uchechukwu Nwankwo · Michael Taiwo Fakunle · South African Defence Force · South African Police Service
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 7 SOURCES] Eight Nigerians have been murdered in South Africa in 2026. solacebase.com · dailyreport.ng · thepodiummedia.com · newscentraltv.com · pointblanknews.com · +1 more
- [● 6 SOURCES] Over 30 Nigerians were allegedly killed by South African police or defense personnel since 2022. solacebase.com · thepodiummedia.com · newscentraltv.com · pointblanknews.com · www.thisdaylive.com
- [● 5 SOURCES] No arrests or prosecutions have been made regarding these killings despite Nigerian concerns. solacebase.com · thepodiummedia.com · newscentraltv.com · www.thisdaylive.com
- [● 7 SOURCES] Bishop Michael Taiwo Fakunle was shot dead at his home in Johannesburg on September 4. solacebase.com · dailyreport.ng · thepodiummedia.com · newscentraltv.com · pointblanknews.com · +1 more
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Lawyer Femi Falana urged the Nigerian government to sue South Africa before the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights. newscentraltv.com
- [● 6 SOURCES] More than 100 Nigerians have been killed in South Africa since 2022. solacebase.com · thepodiummedia.com · newscentraltv.com · pointblanknews.com · www.thisdaylive.com
- [● 7 SOURCES] James Uchechukwu Nwankwo died on September 5 following alleged brutal interrogation by South African police. solacebase.com · dailyreport.ng · thepodiummedia.com · newscentraltv.com · pointblanknews.com · +1 more
- [● 7 SOURCES] Four of the eight Nigerians murdered in 2026 were killed by South African police officers. solacebase.com · dailyreport.ng · thepodiummedia.com · newscentraltv.com · pointblanknews.com · +1 more