Nigeria says 2 nationals were killed during anti-migrant violence in South Africa
Nigeria said the killings are part of a wider anti-migrant surge that has driven about 25,000 people from other African countries to leave, officials said.
- The Nigerian Consulate in Johannesburg announced on Saturday that two Nigerian nationals were killed in South Africa on June 28, prompting Nigeria to demand an immediate and thorough investigation into the murders.
- Anti-Immigrant sentiment intensified in April as protesters blamed foreign workers for unemployment and crime, chanting 'Abahambe!' in cities across South Africa. Rising xenophobic violence has targeted African migrants throughout the country.
- Victims Emeka Iroegbu and Musa Joe died under different circumstances on June 28. The consulate reported Joe was killed by 'suspected criminals' in Witbank, Mpumalanga, while security operatives allegedly murdered Iroegbu in Sunnyside, Pretoria.
- These deaths bring the total number of Nigerians murdered in South Africa this year to four, mirroring earlier killings of Amaramiro Emmanuel and Ekpenyong Andrew. The Nigerian Ministry demanded the ultimate prosecution of perpetrators.
- Several African countries have repatriated citizens amid the unrest, which echoes the 2008 xenophobic attacks where more than 60 people were killed. Officials warn against attempts to wrongfully tag respectable Nigerians as criminals.
75 Articles
75 Articles
Two Nigerians killed in anti-migrant violence
In a statement released on July 5, 2026, the Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs "strongly condemned the recent murders of two of its citizens in South Africa," a country gripped by an anti-migrant campaign in recent weeks. South African authorities reacted strongly to the Nigerian Foreign Ministry's statement.
(Johannesburg=Yonhap News) Correspondent Na Hak-jin = Amid ongoing anti-immigration protests in South Africa, the Nigerian government [stated that] two of its citizens were in South Africa anti...
Nigeria says two of its citizens killed as anti-migrant violence surges in South Africa
It gave no more details on the incident, which it said took place on Sunday, June 28, on a weekend when tensions were building up ahead of nationwide anti-migrant rallies last week.
Nigeria Issues Stern Warning to South Africa Over Killings of Citizens
Nigeria on Sunday sharply escalated diplomatic pressure on South Africa, warning that it could activate unspecified measures against Pretoria if the persistent killings and targeted attacks on Nigerian nationals continue, following the deaths of two Nigerians within days amid renewed xenophobic tensions.
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 46% of the sources are Center
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
