Growing Tensions? Fani-Kayode Condemns Extra-Judicial Killings, Warns Of Strained Nigeria-South Africa Relations

Nigeria’s High Commissioner to South Africa, Femi Fani-Kayode, has condemned the alleged killing of a Nigerian citizen by South African police officers, warning that repeated attacks on Nigerians could undermine diplomatic relations between the two countries.

Fani-Kayode expressed outrage over a secretly recorded video that allegedly captured the victim being assaulted by police officers inside his residence, describing the incident as deeply disturbing.

In a statement, the Nigerian envoy said the continued persecution and alleged extrajudicial killings of Nigerians in South Africa were unacceptable, stressing that the Nigerian government would no longer remain silent over such incidents.

“The vilification, persecution, targeting, extra-judicial killing, racial stereotyping and murder of Nigerians in South Africa is unacceptable and will not be tolerated,” he said.

“Neither will we continue to be complicit in these crimes against our nationals by remaining silent in the face of them.”

Fani-Kayode disclosed that he conveyed Nigeria’s concerns during a meeting with South Africa’s Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, insisting that Nigerian citizens deserve to be treated with dignity and protected from violence.

“The hate needs to stop. Nigerian lives and souls are precious before God, and I am not one of those self-deprecating Nigerians who places no value on our people and who sees nothing good in our nation,” he stated.

The envoy said he was prepared to be labelled a hardliner if taking a firm stance would help secure justice and accountability for victims.

According to him, at least 90 Nigerians have allegedly been killed by mobs, police officers and other attackers in South Africa since 2022, with no successful prosecutions recorded.

“Call me a hardliner if you like, but a situation whereby since 2022 no less than 90 Nigerians have been murdered by Afrophobic forces, rampaging mobs, South African policemen and others, and not one person has been arrested, let alone convicted for any of these heinous crimes, speaks volumes,” he said.

Fani-Kayode further claimed that six Nigerians had been killed in South Africa in 2026, including three allegedly shot by police officers. He also alleged that a suspect arrested in one of the cases was later released and could no longer be located.

The ambassador referenced another recent incident in Cape Town in which a Nigerian was allegedly killed by police inside his home, adding that a second Nigerian sustained injuries while protesting the death of his friend.

He warned that such incidents must end if Nigeria and South Africa are to strengthen their bilateral relationship.

“If our relations are to stabilise with South Africa, this has to stop,” he said.

Despite his concerns, Fani-Kayode said recent engagements between officials of both countries had yielded positive outcomes.

He revealed that Nigeria and South Africa agreed to reduce inflammatory rhetoric, deepen cooperation and work towards improving bilateral relations.

“We have made much progress and we had a productive meeting with the South Africans yesterday, where we agreed to de-escalate the rhetoric and work closely together to stabilise the situation and build stronger bilateral ties.

“This is a step in the right direction and has brought us hope, but much more needs to be done. Action speaks louder than words.”