Nigeria says two citizens killed in South Africa amid rising anti-migrant sentiment.
Nigeria's foreign ministry said two Nigerians were killed in South Africa on June 28, one allegedly by police and the other by unidentified attackers. The killings come as anti-migrant protests have led to repatriations of thousands of foreign nationals.
A statement from the Foreign Ministry said Emeka Charles Iroegbu was "reportedly killed" on June 28 by police officers using gruesome interrogation techniques, while unidentified assailants killed shop owner Musa Yunana Joe on the same day. Authorities in South Africa’s capital, Pretoria, have yet to comment.
The Nigerians were killed on June 28, two days before an unofficial deadline set by protesters for foreigners to leave the country, Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said. Joe was attacked outside his shop in the city of e Malahleni, the ministry said.
Protesters in South Africa have urged the government to do more to curb illegal migration, saying foreigners are taking jobs and unfairly benefiting from public services. Anti-immigrant protesters in April and May blamed foreigners for high unemployment, crime and pressure on public services.
Nigeria’s Foreign Ministry said the incidents came amid a rise in anti-migrant sentiment in South Africa, which has led to roughly 25,000 citizens from other African countries being repatriated by their nations, including about 700 Nigerians.
Nigeria has said it will seek compensation from South Africa for its citizens who have left the country, adding that Abuja has begun documenting businesses and properties left behind by Nigerians. However, at a media briefing on Friday, South African cabinet minister Khumbudzo Ntshavheni said her government would not pay compensation and that Nigerians can sell registered properties they left behind on the South African market.
The violence at the protests and attacks on Africans prompted Nigeria, Ghana and Malawi to repatriate their citizens and summon South African diplomats. South African police did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The Associated Press.