Former Aviation Minister Femi Fani-Kayode, has called on the South African government to investigate the deaths of Bishop Michael Taiwo Fakunle and another Nigerian, James Uchechukwu Nwankwo, in Johannesburg and prosecute anyone found responsible.
Fani-Kayode, in a statement posted on his X handle, said he was “mortified and deeply shocked” by the alleged murder of Fakunle by unknown persons in Johannesburg on September 4.
He alleged that Fakunle had received a series of threats before the attackers went to his residence and shot him dead.
The former minister said he was equally shocked by the alleged killing of Nwankwo by officers of the South African Police Service in Johannesburg on September 5.
According to him, Nwankwo died after allegedly being subjected to what he described as “gruesome interrogation techniques” by the police.
Fani-Kayode claimed that Fakunle and Nwankwo were the seventh and eighth Nigerians allegedly killed in South Africa this year, adding that at least four of the eight deaths involved alleged killings by South African police officers.
He further claimed that more than 100 Nigerians had been killed in South Africa between 2022 and now, with more than 30 allegedly killed by personnel of the South African Police Service and South African Defence Force.
He expressed concern that no arrests, detentions or prosecutions had been made in connection with the alleged killings, despite repeated concerns raised by Nigerians.
Fani-Kayode urged the South African government to do more to protect Nigerians in the country and ensure that those responsible for the alleged killings, including their planners, are brought to justice.
He said the Nigerian community and the Nigerian Mission in South Africa were deeply disturbed by the situation.
The former minister also raised concern over what he described as another deadline issued to African nationals, including Nigerians, to leave South Africa by September 30.
He alleged that the deadline was issued by South African non-governmental organisations which he accused of racism, xenophobia and Afrophobia, and called on the South African government to protect Nigerians from such groups and enforce the law.
Fani-Kayode warned that continued discrimination and killings of Nigerians in South Africa could have consequences, saying, “our patience is wearing thin.”
He also argued that South Africans living in Nigeria were not subjected to similar attacks, urging the South African authorities to ensure reciprocity and protect Nigerians in the country.
He expressed condolences to the families, friends and associates of Fakunle and Nwankwo.
