Deaths of four Nigerians not caused by anti-foreigner protesters, says Foreign Affairs Ministry

Mercy Iheoma Ihedigbo

Federal Government has clarified that no Nigerian has been killed directly by participants in the ongoing Afrophobia or xenophobic protests in South Africa, despite the deaths of four Nigerians in the country in recent months.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs explained that investigations conducted by the Nigerian High Commission in South Africa revealed that none of the fatalities was directly linked to the anti-foreigner demonstrations currently taking place in parts of the country.

The clarification was made by the Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, during an interview on Frontline, a current affairs programme on Eagle 102.5 FM, Ilese-Ijebu, Ogun State.

Ebienfa said it was important to separate the tragic deaths of the four Nigerians from the violence associated with the ongoing protests.

“It is good to put on record that no Nigerian has been killed by the protesters. We have witnessed unpleasant and 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,” he said.

According to him, three of the deaths were linked to the actions of the South African police, while the fourth victim was allegedly killed by criminal elements.
He explained that two Nigerians died while in police custody following what he described as brutal interrogation methods.

“Two were killed by South African police during interrogation because they carried out very gruesome interrogation techniques that led to their deaths while in police custody. One was seriously brutalised, released from police detention, but later died in hospital. The latest victim, a Nigerian popularly known as Bijo, was killed in front of a shop,” Ebienfa stated.

The ministry’s spokesman stressed that while the deaths were unfortunate and unacceptable, they should not be attributed to the anti-foreigner protests.
“Those 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 added.

Responding to questions about reports of looting, attacks on foreigners and widespread violence during the protests, Ebienfa said the ministry was only drawing attention to the specific circumstances surrounding the deaths of Nigerians.

“What you need to understand is that we have witnessed the direct killing of nationals of some countries by protesters. During attacks on shops, some victims attempted to resist the looting and were beaten to death. But that has not been the case with Nigerians in South Africa,” he explained.

He maintained that although Nigerians had not been directly killed by xenophobic protesters, the Federal Government remained deeply concerned about the deaths resulting from police actions and criminal attacks.

“That is the point I am trying to make. Nigerians have been killed while in police custody. Nigerians have also been killed by criminals, such as in the shooting incident involving Bijo. But that is different from protesters moving around with spears and machetes directly attacking and killing foreign nationals on the spot. That is the distinction I am making,” Ebienfa said.

He assured Nigerians that the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Nigerian High Commission in South Africa, continues to monitor developments closely while engaging the South African authorities on the safety and welfare of Nigerian citizens residing in the country.