The Federal Government has called for urgent investigations into the deaths of two Nigerian nationals in separate incidents in South Africa.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in a statement, named the deceased as Bishop Taiwo Michael Fakunle and James Uchechukwu Nwankwo.
Fakunle was reportedly murdered inside his residence in Kensington, Johannesburg, while Nwankwo allegedly died following what the Nigerian government described as “gruesome interrogation techniques” by officers of the South African Police Service in Sommerset, Cape Town.
The Federal Government expressed concern over the circumstances surrounding the two deaths, particularly against the backdrop of persistent reports of violence targeting Nigerians and other African nationals in South Africa.
It urged the South African authorities to conduct immediate, comprehensive and transparent investigations into both cases.
The Nigerian government also called for anyone found responsible for the deaths to be identified and prosecuted in accordance with the law.
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“These killings, happening at a time when foreigners, particularly Africans, are grappling with the devastating impacts of widespread xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks in South Africa, raise questions about the safety of foreigners in the country and the commitment of the South African authorities to curbing targeted attacks against foreigners,” the statement said.
The government stressed the need for the circumstances surrounding the deaths to be fully established, while urging South African authorities to ensure that justice is served.