The deaths occurred in separate incidents between September 18 and 21 as Nigeria renews calls for investigations into violence involving its citizens.

The Nigerian Consulate-General in Johannesburg has called on South African authorities to investigate the deaths of three Nigerians in separate incidents between September 18 and 21, amid renewed concerns over the safety of Nigerians and other African nationals in the country.

The victims were identified as Kenechukwu Christopher Igwemmadu, Olaniyi Olaleye Olatunde and Christian Hillary Nnaemeka.

Consul-General Ninikanwa Okey-Uche, in a statement issued on Monday, urged South African authorities to establish the circumstances surrounding the deaths and ensure that anyone found responsible faces the law.

She described the deaths as “deeply troubling”, saying they raised concerns about the treatment and security of Nigerians and other African foreigners in South Africa.

Three Nigerians reported dead in four days

According to the Consulate, Igwemmadu died on September 18 after allegedly jumping from a building while attempting to escape what it described as police harassment and brutality at Kenlin Court on Douglas Street in Bloemfontein.

The second incident involved Olatunde, a security guard at Spanata Bar and Grills Night Club in Mamelodi East, Pretoria.

The Consulate said he was allegedly shot on September 20 by an unidentified South African customer following an argument over a cup belonging to the club.

Olatunde sustained a gunshot wound and was taken to Mamelodi Hospital, where he died the following morning. The Consulate said the alleged shooter fled the scene and later returned to threaten witnesses before leaving again.

The third death involved Nnaemeka, who died on September 21 following an alleged encounter with South African politician and investigative content creator Xolani Khumalo and members of his Sizok’thola team in Primrose, Ekurhuleni.

The Consulate alleged that Nnaemeka was assaulted during the encounter before attempting to escape. It said he later collapsed from his injuries and exhaustion and was pronounced dead after being taken to hospital.

The allegations have not been established in court, and the Consulate itself stressed the need for due process.

Nigeria raises concern over pattern of deaths

Okey-Uche described the latest incidents as “deeply troubling” and said they raised wider questions about the safety of Nigerians in South Africa.

“The recent deaths raise concerns about the treatment and security of Nigerians, and other Africans in South Africa, amid xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks, threats and other forms of ill-treatment,” she said.

She added: “All lives matter. Allegations must be handled through due process, with suspects presumed innocent and given an opportunity to defend themselves in court.”

The Consul-General also recalled the February 9 death of another Nigerian, Emeka Clement Uzor, during an encounter with Khumalo’s reality television crew in Windsor East, Randburg. She said no arrest had been made in that case.

The latest deaths come as Nigeria continues to facilitate the evacuation of citizens from South Africa amid security concerns.

On September 18, the Federal Government said another 33 Nigerians had been evacuated, bringing the number returned since the exercise began in June to 1,716. The government said it remained concerned about “persistent xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks” against Nigerians and other Africans.

A further 105 Nigerians were repatriated on September 24, with the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs saying about 1,640 Nigerians had been evacuated since the latest wave of xenophobia began in April.

The Consulate urged Nigerians in South Africa to remain calm, law-abiding and security-conscious while it continues to pursue their welfare and fair treatment.

The circumstances surrounding the three latest deaths now require independent investigation, particularly where allegations involve police conduct, firearms or private individuals. Establishing responsibility in each case will be necessary before the deaths can be conclusively classified as xenophobic violence.