The Nigerian Consulate in Johannesburg has confirmed the deaths of two Nigerians in South Africa amid growing concerns over xenophobic tensions and alleged abuse by security personnel.
Gatekeepers News reports that the victims, identified as Amaramiro Emmanuel and Ekpenyong Andrew, died in separate incidents involving South African security agencies, according to a statement issued Monday by Nigeria’s Consul-General, Ninikanwa Okey-Uche.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Emmanuel died from injuries he allegedly sustained after being assaulted by personnel of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) on April 20.
Andrew, meanwhile, was reportedly apprehended on April 19 in Pretoria’s Booysens area following an alleged altercation with officers of the Tshwane Metro Police. His body was later discovered at the Pretoria Central Mortuary.
Okey-Uche said the incidents have left the victims’ families, the Nigerian community and diplomatic missions deeply shaken.
She disclosed that a formal case has been opened with the South African Police Service, while the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) has been urged to carry out a thorough, transparent and impartial investigation.
“We call on South African authorities to thoroughly investigate the matter and bring the perpetrators to justice,” she said.
“No matter the allegations, there are lawful processes. Everyone should be presumed innocent and granted fair hearing in a court of law. No one should take the law into their hands,” she added.
The consul-general said the Nigerian mission is engaging relevant South African authorities and would provide necessary support to the families of the deceased.
She also warned against what she described as a growing pattern of profiling Nigerians as criminals, saying such generalisations are dangerous and inflammatory.
Okey-Uche further urged Nigerians living in South Africa to remain calm and law-abiding while investigations into the incidents continue.
