Fresh surges of xenophobic violence in South Africa have left two Nigerians dead, intensifying anxiety within the diaspora and triggering urgent diplomatic engagement from Nigeria.
The Nigerian consulate in Johannesburg confirmed that Amaramiro Emmanuel and Ekpenyong Andrew died in separate incidents linked to rising anti-foreigner tensions, with both cases involving security operatives.
According to the consul-general, Ninikanwa Okey-Uche, Emmanuel succumbed to injuries after allegedly being beaten by personnel of the South African National Defence Force on 20 April. Andrew, meanwhile, was detained a day earlier in Pretoria following an altercation with the Tshwane Metro Police; his body was later found in a mortuary.
The deaths have sent shockwaves through Nigeria’s community in South Africa, with diplomats calling for accountability. A formal case has been opened with the South African Police Service, while Nigeria has urged the Independent Police Investigative Directorate to ensure an impartial inquiry.
“No matter the allegations, there are lawful processes,” Okey-Uche said, warning against the growing tendency to profile Nigerians as criminals. “No one should take the law into their hands.”
The killings come amid a broader resurgence of xenophobic hostility, fuelled by economic strain and inflammatory rhetoric. Viral videos circulating online show mobs confronting foreign traders, ordering them to leave communities and threatening violence. In one clip, a Nigerian shopkeeper is told to “take your wife and go back to your country”, despite pleading that his business supports his family.
In a separate incident, an Ethiopian national was shot dead in central Johannesburg in what appeared to be a targeted attack, further raising fears of a pattern of violence against foreign nationals.
South African authorities have condemned the intimidation. The police said such acts run counter to the country’s constitutional commitment to dignity and equality, even as no arrests have yet been confirmed in some of the cases.
For many Nigerians, however, official assurances have done little to calm nerves. The Nigerian Citizens Association in South Africa warned of a “normalisation of hostility”, citing harassment, discriminatory enforcement and alleged brutality by some law enforcement officers.
Its president, Frank Onyekwelu, called for urgent intervention by African leaders, urging Bola Tinubu and other officials to respond with “firmness and strategic diplomacy”.
“Nigerians in South Africa are law-abiding and economically contributing members of society,” he said. “The reckless stereotyping and collective criminalisation of our people must stop.”
The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission has issued safety advisories, warning citizens to avoid flashpoints in cities including Durban and Cape Town, where protests have led to looting and sporadic violence. Some have been advised to temporarily shut businesses to minimise losses.
Nigeria’s acting ambassador in Pretoria, Alexander Ajayi, sought to strike a more measured tone, describing the incidents as “isolated tensions” rather than a coordinated campaign. “The priority right now is to ensure the safety and wellbeing of every citizen, including foreigners,” he said.
Addressing the issue during Freedom Day commemorations, South Africa’s president, Cyril Ramaphosa, urged foreign nationals to respect local laws and traditions, while reaffirming his government’s commitment to human rights.
Abuja, however, has formally called on Pretoria to guarantee the safety of Nigerians and other foreign nationals. In a statement, the foreign affairs ministry stressed the deep historical ties between both countries — forged during the anti-apartheid struggle — and urged South Africa to uphold its obligations to protect all residents.
As diplomatic channels intensify, the latest killings underline a recurring faultline in Africa’s most industrialised economy: the uneasy place of migrants in a society still grappling with inequality, unemployment and the unfinished business of post-apartheid reconciliation.
