Nigeria Demands Probe After Two Citizens Die in South Africa

The government of Nigeria is demanding transparent investigations into the deaths of two nationals, Amaramiro Emmanuel and Ekpenyong Andrew, who died after encounters with South African security forces. Amaramiro Emmanuel died from injuries sustained after an alleged beating by South African National Defence Force personnel in Gqeberha on April 20. Ekpenyong Andrew was detained by the Tshwane Metro Police in Pretoria on April 19, and his body was later discovered at the Pretoria Central Mortuary.

Ninikanwa Okey-Uche, the Nigerian Consul-General in Johannesburg, opened formal cases with the South African Police Service and urged the Independent Police Investigative Directorate to conduct impartial inquiries. These deaths occurred against a backdrop of xenophobic violence and anti-foreigner protests that began in East London after a traditional leader's coronation by Nigeria's Igbo community. The unrest, involving the looting of foreign-owned shops, spread to Cape Town, Durban, and KwaZulu-Natal.

Acting Ambassador Temitope Ajayi stated that the security situation is under control and that Nigerians are not under a coordinated siege. However, the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission maintained a security advisory through April 29, warning of planned protests in Gauteng Province. In a diplomatic message coinciding with South Africa's Freedom Day, the Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs called on the South African government to protect the lives and prosperity of foreign nationals.