The Nigerian Consulate General in Johannesburg has condemned the alleged killing of a Nigerian national, Emeka Charles Iroegbu, by officers of the Tshwane Metro Police in South Africa, calling for a thorough investigation and prosecution of those responsible.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the Consul General, Ninikanwa Okey-Uche, described the incident, which reportedly occurred on June 28 in Sunnyside, Pretoria, as disturbing, saying the circumstances surrounding Iroegbu’s death had left his family, the Nigerian community and diplomatic missions in South Africa shocked.
“The Consulate General of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in Johannesburg condemns, in the strongest terms, the killing of one of its nationals, Emeka Charles Iroegbu, by officers of the Tshwane Metro Police on June 28, 2026, in Sunnyside, Pretoria,” the statement read.
Okey-Uche alleged that Iroegbu died after being subjected to brutal interrogation by the officers and noted that the incident came barely two months after another Nigerian, Andrew Ekpenyong, was allegedly killed by the same metro police on April 20.
She expressed concern that no arrests had been made in Ekpenyong’s case despite allegations linking four police officers to the incident, warning that the recurrence of such cases was troubling.
According to the consul general, the latest killing comes amid increasing hostility towards foreigners in South Africa and could reinforce the wrongful stereotyping of law-abiding Nigerians as criminals.
She urged the South African authorities to conduct a transparent investigation into both deaths and ensure those found culpable were brought to justice, stressing that criminal allegations should only be determined through due legal process and not by extrajudicial actions.
The consulate also appealed to Nigerians living in South Africa to remain calm, law-abiding and vigilant despite ongoing xenophobic and anti-immigration protests, while reaffirming its commitment to protecting the welfare and rights of Nigerian citizens in the country.
