Former Aviation Minister Femi Fani-Kayode has condemned the reported killings of two Nigerians in South Africa, warning that Nigeria’s patience could run out if attacks against its citizens continue.
Bishop Michael Taiwo Fakunle and James Uchechukwu Nwankwo were reportedly killed in separate incidents in Johannesburg on September 4 and 5, respectively.
Fani-Kayode, reacting in a statement posted on his X handle on Saturday, described the deaths as unacceptable and accused South African authorities of failing to adequately protect Nigerians or prosecute those responsible for attacks against them.
“I am mortified and deeply shocked to hear about the murder of Bishop Michael Taiwo Fakunle by unknown elements in Johannesburg on September 4th. After issuing a series of threats, his killers went to his home and shot him dead.
“I am equally shocked to hear about the murder of Mr. James Uchechukwu Nwankwo by officers of the South African Police Service again in Johannesburg on September 5th. He died as a consequence of what has been described as “gruesome interrogation techniques” by the South African police.
“Bishop Fakunle and Mr. Nwankwo are the 7th and 8th Nigerians to have been murdered in South Africa this year alone. No less than 4 amongst the 8 were murdered by South African police officers.
“Outside of that over 100 Nigerian nationals have been murdered in South Africa between 2022 and today and over 30 of them were killed by officers of the South African Police Service and South African Defence Force.
“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.
“This is unacceptable. 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.
“No-one deserves to be targetted and murdered simply because they are Nigerian. The Nigerian community in South Africa are deeply disturbed by these developments and live in trepidation of what could happen next.
“So is the Nigerian Mission in South Africa. Equally disturbing is the fact that yet another deadline has been issued to African nationals, including Nigerians, to leave South Africa by September 30th.
“This deadline, like the last one, was issued by a number of brazenly racist, xenophobic and Afrophobic South African Non-Governmental Organisations who have openly threatened to target and harm our nationals if their illegal deadline is not complied with.”
Fani-Kayode called on the South African Government to take stronger action to protect Nigerians and other African nationals and ensure that perpetrators are prosecuted.
He also warned that continued attacks could have consequences for relations between the two countries.
“We also call on the South African Government to bring to justice those that take pleasure in traumatising, terrorising, torturing and killing our nationals.
“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. 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.
“May the souls of Bishop Taiwo Fakunle and Mr. James Uchechukwu Nwankwor rest in peace.”
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.
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