Nigeria’s High Commissioner-designate to South Africa, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, has called on the South African Government to protect Nigerians and ensure justice for two nationals recently killed in Johannesburg.

Fani-Kayode expressed concern over the deaths of Bishop Michael Taiwo Fakunle and James Uchechukwu Nwankwo, describing the incidents as deeply disturbing.

According to him, Fakunle was allegedly killed at his home on September 4 after his attackers had issued threats against him.

He said Nwankwo died on September 5 following what he described as alleged gruesome interrogation by officers of the South African Police Service.

Fani-Kayode said the two men were the seventh and eighth Nigerians allegedly killed in South Africa in 2026.

He further claimed that more than 100 Nigerians had been killed in the country since 2022, including more than 30 allegedly killed by members of the South African Police Service and South African Defence Force.

He criticised what he described as the failure to secure arrests, prosecutions or convictions in connection with the killings, saying the situation was unacceptable.

Fani-Kayode called on the South African Government to strengthen protection for Nigerian nationals and ensure that anyone responsible for the killings was brought to justice.

He also expressed concern over an alleged September 30 deadline issued by some South African organisations for African nationals, including Nigerians, to leave the country.

He urged the South African authorities to protect Nigerians against threats and xenophobic attacks, stressing that no person should be targeted or killed because of their nationality.

Fani-Kayode said Nigeria would continue to seek stronger relations with South Africa but insisted that the safety and dignity of Nigerians living in the country must be protected.