The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission has strongly condemned the murder of two Nigerian traders in South Africa by unidentified gunmen, describing the incident as intolerable and senseless while calling for immediate action to apprehend those responsible.
NiDCOM Chairman Abike Dabiri-Erewa expressed outrage over the latest violence targeting Nigerian citizens, emphasizing that the Nigerian High Commission in South Africa is actively investigating the matter.
The two victims, identified only as Austin and Ayo, were reportedly shot dead by masked gunmen in Durban, South Africa, in what appears to be another unprovoked attack on Nigerian nationals living in the country.
According to unconfirmed reports, the gunmen stormed Austin’s office where they shot him and his visiting friend Ayo at close range, with both victims dying instantly at the scene.
In a statement issued through NiDCOM spokesperson Abdur-Rahman Balogun, Dabiri-Erewa described the killings as “condemnable and barbaric,” demanding that South African authorities conduct a comprehensive investigation to expose and prosecute the perpetrators.
The NiDCOM chief criticized South Africa’s failure to implement the early warning mechanism that both countries had established to prevent such violent incidents targeting Nigerian citizens.
“She recalled that the early warning mechanism put in place by both countries to prevent such killings is yet to be implemented by South Africa,” the statement noted, highlighting ongoing diplomatic concerns about the protection of Nigerian nationals.
Dabiri-Erewa extended condolences to the families of the deceased victims while assuring them that justice would be pursued through appropriate channels.
With tensions rising within the Nigerian community in South Africa following the latest killings, the NiDCOM chairman appealed for calm and urged Nigerian nationals to refrain from taking matters into their own hands while awaiting the outcome of police investigations.
The Acting Nigerian High Commissioner in South Africa has formally demanded a thorough and fair investigation into the incident, according to NiDCOM officials.
The latest killings add to a troubling pattern of violence against Nigerian traders and business people in South Africa, raising fresh concerns about the safety and security of the substantial Nigerian diaspora community in the country.
The incident underscores ongoing diplomatic tensions between Nigeria and South Africa over the protection of Nigerian citizens, with previous attacks prompting calls for stronger bilateral mechanisms to prevent xenophobic violence and ensure accountability for perpetrators.
