Nigerian bishop, one other killed in South Africa

Two Nigerians, Bishop Michael Fakunle and James Nwankwo, have been killed in Johannesburg, South Africa. The duo were reportedly killed in separate incidents, raising concerns about xenophobic attacks against Nigerians and other Africans in the country. Fakunle was killed by unknown persons at his home in Johannesburg on September 4, after allegedly receiving a series of threats, while Nwankwo was reportedly killed on September 5. Former Minister of Aviation and ambassador-designate to South Africa, Femi Fani-Kayode, announced this in a statement on his X handle on Friday. He wrote, “I am mortified and deeply shocked to hear about the murder of Bishop Michael Taiwo Fakunle by unknown elements in Johannesburg on September 4th. After issuing a series of threats, his killers went to his home and shot him dead.

“I am equally shocked to hear about the murder of Mr James Uchechukwu Nwankwo by officers of the South African Police Service again in Johannesburg on September 5th. He died as a consequence of what has been described as ‘gruesome interrogation techniques’ by the South African police. ” Fani-Kayode claimed that Fakunle and Nwankwo were the seventh and eighth Nigerians killed in South Africa in 2026, alleging that four of the eight were killed by South African police officers. He further claimed that more than 100 Nigerians had been killed in South Africa between 2022 and Friday, with more than 30 allegedly killed by officers of the South African Police Service and the South African Defence Force. “What is most disturbing is the fact that in spite of our constant expressions of concern about this disturbing state of affairs, not one person has been arrested, detained, prosecuted or brought to justice for ANY of these heinous crimes,” he said. Fani-Kayode called on the…