The Federal Government has called for a comprehensive investigation into the death of a Nigerian citizen during a police operation in South Africa.
The demand follows the circulation of disturbing videos over the weekend showing South African police officers assaulting a Nigerian man.
In the footage, the victim repeatedly insisted on his innocence while being confronted by the officers over an incident that remains unclear.
The videos also appear to show some of the officers placing what looked like a polyethylene bag over the man’s head several times in an apparent attempt to suffocate him.
The incident has sparked widespread outrage, with many Nigerians on social media demanding justice and urging both the Nigerian and South African authorities to ensure those responsible are held accountable.
According to the Nigerian consulate general in Johannesburg, the incident occurred on July 23 in Bellville, Cape Town.
The mission identified the Nigerian as Ibeh Chika Simon.
In a statement signed Saturday, Ninikanwa Okey-Uche, consul-general, said the consulate strongly condemned Simon’s death, especially as it happened after another Nigerian was shot.
“We are deeply appalled by reports of the egregious police tactics that led to his death, as well as the shooting of another Nigerian, EGWABOR PATRICK CHUKS, who remains under treatment with severe injuries,” the statement reads.
“This tragic event highlights an alarming pattern of unresolved extrajudicial killings/deaths and unacceptable misconduct against foreign nationals.
“Amid rising afrophobic sentiment, such actions reveal a troubling disregard for the fundamental rights to life, dignity, and due process guaranteed by South African law to all human beings.
“We demand an immediate, transparent, and unsparing investigation by South African authorities. Perpetrators must be held accountable.”
The consulate general noted that no alleged offence justifies execution-style enforcement or unacceptable operational techniques.
“Suspects are entitled to due process in a court of law; no authority should be above it,” the statement added.
This brings the total number of officially reported deaths of Nigerians in South Africa to five, though some repatriated citizens have alleged that the figures are higher.
Just last month, the foreign ministry announced the death of two Nigerians in South Africa in the wake of tensions over African migrants in the former apartheid country.
Nigeria has called for “Afrophobia” to be on the agenda of the next African Union (AU) summit following the recent xenophobic crisis in South Africa.
