The government also condemned what it described as inflammatory comments by a South African government spokesperson, who allegedly asked Nigerians leaving the country because of xenophobic protests to "show where they hide illegal drugs."
The Nigerian Government has condemned the killing of two Nigerian nationals in South Africa, demanding an immediate investigation and prosecution of those responsible while raising fresh concerns over the safety of Nigerians amid what it described as growing xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks in the country.
In a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on Sunday, the government identified the victims as Emeka Charles Iroegbu and Musa Yunana Joe, popularly known as "Big Joe."
According to the statement, Iroegbu was "reportedly killed by Tshwane Metro Police officers on 28th June, 2026, in Sunnyside, Pretoria, using gruesome interrogation techniques."
The ministry also recalled that "earlier, on 20th April, 2026, these same officers were allegedly responsible for the extra-judicial killing of another Nigerian, Mr. Nnaemeka Mathew Andrew Expenyong."
