₦airaland Forum

The killings of Nigerians in South Africa have continued unabated, with the recent shooting of two Nigerian businessmen by gunmen.

The two Nigerians, identified simply as Austin and Ayo, were shot dead by unidentified gunmen in Durban, South Africa, on Thursday, July 9.

It was gathered that the gunmen, numbering three, stormed Austin’s office around 8pm and upon gaining entry into the office, the gunmen, who were said to be wearing masks, met both of them and shot them on the spot.

A friend of one of the deceased, who identified himself simply as Fidelis, told The Punch on the telephone that both died on the spot.

He said, “Austin runs a car business and also sells tyres in Durban. On the day of the incident, his friend Ayo came to visit him at his shop. They were standing and talking when some men wearing masks suddenly ran into the shop. The men were holding guns, and without saying a word, they shot both of them.”

Fidelis said some customers who were present in the shop fled when they saw the men wielding their guns before the attack.

“People nearby said they heard gunshots and saw the masked men run away quickly after the attack. Efforts were made to rush the victims to the hospital, where they were confirmed dead on arrival by doctors on duty,” he added.

Another source based in Nigeria and privy to the incident had earlier sent a Closed-Circuit Television footage of the incident to the newspaper.

In the footage, the late friends were both seen standing and having a chat when the gunmen emerged from the rear and shot Austin at close range. Ayo was, however, shot while trying to escape.

As of mid-2025, at least eight Nigerians have been reported killed in South Africa under various circumstances.

On April 20, Taiwo Raji and Yemi Akinwunmi were shot dead in Pretoria by a South African citizen and on April 24, Silas Ani, a Nigerian businessman, was kidnapped in Johannesburg and remains missing.

Raji and Akinwunmi were gunned down in front of their shops on Church Street, Arcadia, Pretoria, on 20th April, 2025.

Also, Julius Chukwunta had died earlier after a violent attack in Midrand, while in February, Benjamin Okoli and Jeremiah Okoye died in police custody under suspicious circumstances.

The Nigerian Citizens Association South Africa, NICASA, had demanded justice. NICASA President, Frank Onyekwelu, in a statement, noted that the Nigerian community had sought legal redress, but justice had not been served as the suspected killer was released on bail by a South African court.

Arrests made, investigations ongoing – FG

The spokesperson for the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Adul-Rahman Balogun, told Daily Trust on the telephone on Monday that some arrests had been made by the South African authorities.

He said while investigations were still ongoing, the killers had yet to be apprehended.

Earlier, NiDCOM’s Chairman, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, had strongly condemned the latest killing, describing the incident as senseless, barbaric, and unacceptable.

In a statement, Dabiri-Erewa said the Nigerian High Commission in South Africa is already looking into the matter.

She urged the South African authorities to launch a thorough investigation and ensure the perpetrators are brought to justice.

Dabiri-Erewa said this latest unprovoked killing is condemnable and barbaric, calling on South African authorities to thoroughly investigate the matter and expose the perpetrators, according to the statement.

She lamented the non-implementation of the early warning mechanisms earlier agreed upon by both countries to prevent such incidents, stressing the need for South Africa to take the arrangement seriously.

While extending condolences to the families of the deceased, Dabiri-Erewa assured them that every effort would be made to ensure justice is served.

Amid rising tension among members of the Nigerian community in South Africa, the NIDCOM boss appealed for calm and urged Nigerians not to take the law into their own hands.

Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, told Daily Trust that the government was yet to ascertain if the attack was xenophobic or not.

“Loss of any Nigerian life is regrettable, but we can’t conclude yet if it’s xenophobia,” he said, assuring that the South African police were investigating the situation already.

Ebienfa also said the Nigerian mission in South Africa was monitoring the situation, assuring that Nigerians would be kept informed of any new developments.

Elusive001:
The same south Africa that took Israel to ICC?

That country is foolish.

kettykin:
The deep state Nigeria media made it look like only igbos were killed in south Africa. Now it I'd beginning to happen to yorubas. I hope their kindred will learn from south Africa and allow peace to reign in Ghana and Lagos

Ironfaceman:
FGN. do something, innocent lives are being wasted on bogus charges.

franchasng:
Sighs, it is well

Lionessza6:
The main question is ; what as who is killing Nigerians in South Africa why are you people not entertaining the most important part that your own consulate general and leaders in South Africa have confirmed 🤔

Lionessza6:
I'm surprised you didn't rant about black SA being responsible for your inability to get it up this morning ....are you cured ?

Elusive001:
The same south Africa that took Israel to ICC?

That country is foolish.

kettykin:
The deep state Nigeria media made it look like only igbos were killed in south Africa. Now it I'd beginning to happen to yorubas. I hope their kindred will learn from south Africa and allow peace to reign in Ghana and Lagos

WizardOfNG:
Aren't you too old to be relating with every topic focusing alone on the ethnicity of those mentioned?

That is what you do 100% of the time whereas it may be 10 to 20% for others, and it is nauseating.

A sensible Nigerian adult, from what the reportage shows, would note Nigerians have died in SA and would wonder why.

Every topic you must always seek to use to direct negative focus on Yorubas. You just can't help yourself and that is truly sad.

Lionessza6:
The usual bait thread meant for the un-exposed,less- thinking but emotional Nigerian populace who are one of the most research-handicapped populations in Africa...courtesy of their leaders defunding their higher learning institutions

You are a decieftful and manipulative people. Why are you not telling us what and who is killing the Nigerians in South Africa?. We need the full story not some cut and join stories meant for the weak minded.

https://www.occrp.org/en/news/nigeria-mafia-cult-kingpins-arrested-in-south-africa

https://punchng.com/nigerian-gangs-attack-force-compatriots-to-flee-safrica/?amp

https://punchng.com/nigerians-bemoan-cult-killings-among-citizens-in-south-africa/?amp

https://allafrica.com/stories/201808140022.html

Ironfaceman:
FGN. do something, innocent lives are being wasted on bogus charges.

kettykin:
The deep state Nigeria media made it look like only igbos were killed in south Africa. Now it I'd beginning to happen to yorubas. I hope their kindred will learn from south Africa and allow peace to reign in Ghana and Lagos

SeraphicWind:
But he is right.

If the killed people were Igbo names, people on this forum will attribute it to drugs without considering if South Africans are criminally wiping out successful people from other countries in order to take over their businesses.

Now it I'd beginning to happen to yorubas. I hope their kindred will learn from south Africa and allow peace to reign in Ghana and Lagos

ibechris:
What can u say about the two guys that died in police custody in ur country?

Were they also killed by the so called Mafias in police cell?

WizardOfNG:
How is he right? Did you not note his conclusion, shown below, that makes it obvious his focus is on attaching blame to Yorubas alone over ongoing events in Ghana and Lagos?

What does the Eze of Ghana idiocy have to do with Yorubas? Should Yorubas not rightly agree he offended Ghanaians with his antics?

How are Yorubas not allowing peace to reign in Lagos?If we get into the issue from the perspective of the many incendiary things Igbos alone, of over 300 ethnic groups in the State, are doing, then we'd be here for months !!

Yet he introduced those unrelated situations here to shade Yorubas.

You lot should learn to be fair and objective. He should be called out for his malevolent obsession with trying to make Yorubas the objects of blame over every issue. At his age, the man can't even discuss any topic without mentioning Yorubas negatively. Na wetin sef?