The federal government of Nigeria has clarified that none of the four Nigerians who recently died in South Africa was killed directly by participants in the country’s ongoing anti-foreigner protests.
The clarification was made by the spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, during an interview on Frontline, a current affairs programme aired on Eagle 102.5 FM, Ilese-Ijebu, Ogun State, on Wednesday.
Ebienfa said investigations conducted by the Nigerian High Commission in South Africa established that although four Nigerians had lost their lives in recent months, none of the deaths was directly connected to the wave of Afrophobia or xenophobic demonstrations.
“It is important to put it on record that no Nigerian has been killed by the protesters,” he said.
According to him, while disturbing videos have emerged showing foreign nationals being attacked and killed by mobs during the protests, Nigerians have not been among those directly targeted by demonstrators.
“We have witnessed very disturbing videos whereby fellow Africans have been killed by mob action in South Africa, but no Nigerian has been killed by the protesting South Africans. However, we have witnessed the death of four Nigerians,” Ebienfa stated.
Providing details of the incidents, the Foreign Affairs Ministry spokesman explained that three of the deaths were linked to actions by South African police, while criminal elements allegedly murdered the fourth victim.
He said two Nigerians died after allegedly being subjected to brutal interrogation methods while in police custody.
According to him, another Nigerian was severely assaulted during detention, later released, but eventually died in hospital from injuries sustained during the ordeal.
Ebienfa added that the fourth victim, popularly known as Bijo, was reportedly shot dead in front of a shop by suspected criminals.
While describing the deaths as tragic and unacceptable, he stressed that they should not be confused with the ongoing anti-foreigner protests.
“The deaths were not attributed to the protests. One was carried out by an unknown criminal gang, while the other three had police connections that led to their deaths,” he said.
Responding to concerns over reports of widespread looting and attacks on foreigners during the protests, Ebienfa maintained that the distinction lies in the specific circumstances surrounding the deaths of Nigerians.
He noted that in several reported cases involving nationals of other countries, protesters directly attacked victims during looting incidents, sometimes leading to fatal mob violence.
He, however, insisted that investigations had not established any similar cases involving Nigerian citizens.
“What I’m trying to make clear is that we have seen situations where protesters directly attacked and killed nationals of some countries during confrontations over looted shops. That has not been the case with Nigerians in South Africa,” he explained.
Ebienfa assured that the federal government remains committed to monitoring the welfare and safety of Nigerians living in South Africa and would continue engaging relevant authorities over incidents involving Nigerian citizens.
He reiterated that while Nigerians had died through alleged police brutality and criminal attacks, there was no evidence linking those deaths directly to the current anti-foreigner demonstrations.
