₦airaland Forum

The Federal Government has condemned the killing of two Nigerian nationals in South Africa, calling on the South African authorities to urgently investigate the incidents and ensure those responsible are brought to justice.

The government also expressed concern over what it described as a growing pattern of attacks against Nigerians and other foreigners in South Africa, warning that continued violence could strain bilateral relations.

In a statement issued on Sunday by the spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa, the victims are identified as Emeka Charles Iroegbu and Musa Yunana Joe, popularly known as Big Joe.

According to the ministry, Iroegbu was allegedly killed by officers of the Tshwane Metro Police on June 28, 2026, in Sunnyside, Pretoria, during what it described as a “gruesome interrogation.”

It added that the same officers were also allegedly responsible for the extra-judicial killing of another Nigerian, Nnaemeka Mathew Andrew Ekpenyong, on April 20, 2026, noting that no arrests had been made despite the identities of the four officers allegedly being known to the South African Police Service.

“The second victim, Mr. Musa Yunana Joe, popularly known as Big Joe, was killed in front of his shop on 28th June, 2026, in Witbank, Mpumalanga. Of great concern is that the killing was committed by yet-to-be-identified criminals,” the statement read.

The ministry said the incidents occurred amid ongoing xenophobic attacks against foreigners in South Africa, raising concerns over the safety of Nigerians living in the country.


“The Government of Nigeria, therefore, calls on the South African authorities to conduct urgent investigations into the two killings and several other pending cases of extra-judicial killings of Nigerian nationals in South Africa, and ensure that the perpetrators of the heinous crimes are brought to justice without further delay.

“Our position remains that no matter what the allegations or suspicions may be, there are lawful processes and steps to justice. All must be presumed innocent and granted fair hearing in a court of law,” the statement added.


Of akara, a dinner night and the fake DG saga
The government also condemned what it described as a recent televised statement by a South African government spokesperson asking Nigerians leaving the country because of xenophobic protests to disclose where they hid illegal drugs.

“The unguarded public statements are unacceptable and are strongly condemned. Such derogatory, unprofessional and uncensored generalised public statements by highly placed government officials constitute hate speech that influences and incites negative and criminal actions against members of the Nigerian community.

“The gang leaders of groups such as March on March and Operation Dudula, who incite violence and hate against fellow Africans, will also be held to account as a matter of regional and international criminal liability,” the ministry stated.

The Federal Government appealed to Nigerians in South Africa to remain calm, law-abiding and security-conscious, urging them to relocate to safer neighbourhoods and avoid areas prone to violence while diplomatic efforts continue.

It also called on Nigerians at home not to resort to retaliatory actions, stressing that the government would continue to pursue dialogue in line with the principles of African unity and solidarity.

The ministry said the evacuation of registered Nigerians from South Africa was ongoing.

The government further maintained that South Africa had a responsibility under international law to protect the lives and property of all foreigners residing in the country, including Nigerians.

It added that while South African nationals and businesses continued to operate freely in Nigeria, “the systematic targeting of Nigerian nationals who are legally residing in South Africa is not acceptable, and their safety should be guaranteed.”

The statement warned that if the attacks persist, “all options remain on the table,” adding that some measures could be activated if what it described as “the uncultured and provocative trend of intolerance and apartheid-style behaviour” against foreigners was not addressed.

Source: https://punchng.com/fg-condemns-killing-of-two-nigerians-in-south-africa-demands-justice/

The same FG are not condemning the ones happening in their country.

Rip to the dead.

If Bianka no talk, others no go talk

Any South African interests in Nigeria? Reward or compensate them, please. Period.

Dem don condemn the ones for North finish, abi those ones no matter nii?

Nigeria lost its position on the continent...

Citizens kpaing home and abroad

That's their only work to condemn, here in Nigeria they will tell your government will go after the perpetrators of the act... End of story

it's a wake up call.


Abi na now day break ?

There are only a handful of people I RESPECT in South Africa. Apart from them, sorry to throw away the baby with the bath water, that whole place is no better than a nuclear wasteland. Btw, why is Bianca's picture splashed all over the post abeg?

Demand justice from who? The same South African government that is complicit in this. SMH. They better do an eye for an eye type shyt. No time. You match madness with madness not this cowardly speeches et al. Show some working o tan.

The federal government is weak and irresponsible. Can south Africa kill two French or Dutch or British and the South African president not be going about begging the nation? It's high time we stop tolerating these useless ingrates. We must take it up with their government.
Ghana seems to be more active than Nigeria. If we sanction south Africa or sever every relationship with them and their companies they will take us seriously

No one would take Tinubu's Government serious...

If it's to invade Benin Republic, Tinubu will be having Erection.

Condemnation is easy. The real test is whether justice follows, through arrests, prosecution, and consequences, not just another strongly worded statement

Nobody go take us serious like this oooh

He one way they happen for our very own eyes, when the government don take decisive action about am

Giant of Africa were dey only talk

Government that cannot give justice for people being killed within its shores, how will that government demand justice and get one for those killed outside the country?

Yes o. They should be held accountable o

everything about Nigeria don go down, even the football we dey manage enjoy too. thank God we no dey this world cup, we for die for first round with 2 losses and a draw for first round. see african teams dey fight toe to toe with the whole world for world cup

marlow1962:
The same FG are not condemning the ones happening in their country.

Rip to the dead.

Stay safe out there!

This condemnation ends on paper and media houses

Federal government is primarily concerned with the killing of MUSA BIG JOE.

SOUTH AFRICANS are fishing on a restricted water.

Every day, Nigerians are being killed by kidnappers. What's the government saying or doing about it?

South africans knows nigeria is not a united country they know we deeply hate and kill ourselves every day in nigeria that's simply why they don't value legal and illegal nigerians living in their country.

Hypocrites!
Give justice to the Nigerians you keep killing in Nigeria first.🍷

Glad to see Juliet-Bianca has finally reunited with Romeo-FFK to continue their romance in APC!🙄

Condemners. Iron condemn government.

SAns are killing them, they are killing themselves too over cult issues; yet they want Naija government to intervene. Can't you come home too?

Useless Federal Government with zero bite

A Nigerian life is worthless under this administration
Ghana has been more proactive on this issue

I saw a video of a Nigerian army chopper airlifting injured bandits.. why is it not trending
go to English Alhaji page to watch

showboy2301:
SAns are killing them, they are killing themselves too over cult issues; yet they want Naija government to intervene. Can't you come home too?

See the kind of people I share country with..

See mentality..

They're killing your fellow citizens for nothing yet you blame the victims..

these people have spent decades in SA, established themselves, have papers , families, and you expect them to easily jump on a plane and come back to Nigeria..

come back to what?.. you have jobs for them? or you kept bandits to kidnap them

Good one.
Not too late to awake from slumber.

Our cousins on the west coast, Ghana has not held back in engaging the SA government in much publicized fisticuffs while we were still playing the ostrich even though our own case is the worst of the worst.

And it is not that MTN and DSTv are not Ghanian staples, so what is our excuse.

Please make it loud and bold. Enough is enough.

Imagine the audacity of the South Africans…one of the top xenophobists mentioned he will visit Nigeria on tour shows they see Nigeria as Somali or South Sudan level and ironically before I clicked on this page I said this must be Bianca Ojukwu giving this strong push back and accountability from SA and I wasn’t proved wrong


Looks like she is the only proactive live wire in this government while the rests sleeps or are consumed by tribal bigotry?