The Federal Government has strongly condemned the recent deaths of two Nigerian nationals in South Africa and demanded immediate, transparent and thorough investigations to determine how they were killed and ensure that those responsible face justice.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs made the demand in a statement issued by its spokesperson, Oluwafemi Adeniyi, expressing concern over the deaths of Bishop Taiwo Fakunle and James Uchechukwu Nwankwo.

According to the ministry, Fakunle was killed at his residence in Kensington, Johannesburg, on September 4, while Nwankwo died in Sommerset, Cape Town, a day later.

The Nigerian government said the incidents were particularly troubling given the persistent concerns over xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks targeting foreigners, especially Africans, in different parts of South Africa.

Nigeria questioned the safety of foreign nationals in the country and raised concerns about whether enough was being done by South African authorities to prevent attacks against foreigners and protect their lives.

The Federal Government also expressed concern over allegations that some law enforcement personnel had, in previous incidents, used unacceptable interrogation methods that allegedly resulted in the deaths of foreigners.

“Nigeria views these incidents with grave concern and condemns the killings of Bishop Fakunle and Mr Nwankwo in the strongest terms possible,” the ministry said.

It called on the relevant South African authorities to immediately launch investigations capable of establishing the circumstances surrounding both deaths, identifying those responsible and bringing them before the law.

The government stressed that the investigations must be conducted with transparency and urgency, noting that the cases should not be allowed to disappear amid the broader concerns surrounding the safety of Nigerians and other foreign nationals living in South Africa.

Nigeria further urged South Africa to give the matter the seriousness it deserves, insisting that accountability would be critical in reassuring Nigerians living in the country that their lives and rights are protected.

The ministry said Nigeria remained committed to resolving concerns with South Africa through diplomatic engagement, stressing that constructive dialogue had consistently been its preferred approach to addressing recurring tensions between the two countries.

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However, the government expressed disappointment over the slow progress in implementing a proposed bilateral mechanism designed to enable both countries to respond more effectively to emerging threats against their citizens.

It recalled that Nigeria and South Africa had agreed on a Memorandum of Understanding establishing an Early Warning Mechanism as part of their diplomatic dialogue.

According to the ministry, Nigeria has already signed the agreement, while South Africa is yet to complete the process by signing the document.

The Federal Government said the mechanism could provide an important framework for identifying and responding to threats before they escalate into violence against Nigerians and other foreign nationals.

Nigeria also recalled that it had previously taken the recurring cases of xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks in South Africa to regional and continental institutions.

The matter, the ministry said, had been formally presented before the Authority of Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), while Nigeria's complaint was also before the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union.

The government said it was now considering additional concrete diplomatic measures aimed at securing greater cooperation from the South African authorities in addressing the issue.

While demanding justice for the two deceased Nigerians, the Federal Government extended its condolences to the families of Fakunle and Nwankwo, as well as their friends and members of the Nigerian community in South Africa.

It prayed for the peaceful repose of the deceased and expressed hope that their loved ones would find the strength to cope with what it described as a painful loss.

The latest killings have once again placed the safety of Nigerians living in South Africa at the centre of diplomatic concerns between Abuja and Pretoria, with the Nigerian government now awaiting concrete action from South African authorities on the investigations.