Two Nigerian citizens killed in Johannesburg — MyJoyOnline
Two Nigerian citizens — Bishop Michael Taiwo Fagunle and James Uchechukwu Nwankwo — were killed in Johannesburg, South Africa, MyJoyOnline reports. Fagunle was shot at his home on September 4. Nwankwo’s killing was reported on September 5.
Circumstances of the deaths
Former Nigerian aviation minister and designated ambassador to South Africa Femi Fani-Kayode said that Fagunle had allegedly received a series of threats before the murder. According to him, unknown individuals came to the bishop’s home in Johannesburg and shot him.
Fani-Kayode also claims that Nwankwo died after being questioned by officers of the South African Police Service. He said the death resulted from interrogation methods he described as brutal. As of Friday evening, there had been no official response from the South African government or police to reports of these deaths.
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Community and consulate reaction
Frank Onyekwelu, president of the Nigerian Citizens Association in South Africa, said that two suspects entered Fagunle’s residence and opened fire. According to him, the bishop was shot more than seven times. Onyekwelu also said that the association had informed the Nigerian Consulate General in Johannesburg about the incident and that a murder case had been opened at the Jeppe police station.
The Nigerian consulate said that Fagunle was killed by unidentified attackers at his home in the Kensington area of Johannesburg. The diplomatic mission called on South African authorities to conduct a comprehensive investigation and bring those responsible to justice.
Fani-Kayode called Fagunle and Nwankwo the seventh and eighth Nigerian citizens who, he claims, have died in South Africa in 2026. He also expressed concern over an alleged September 30 deadline set by some non-governmental organizations for African citizens, including Nigerians, to leave the country, and called on South African authorities to protect the Nigerian community.
