Nigeria protests ‘disturbing’ killing of its citizens in South Africa

The Nigerian mission in South Africa says it has
protested the killing of Nigerians to the government of
that country.

Two Nigerians were recently killed by the South African
police for allegedly being in possession of drugs.

On August 30, Kingsley Ikeri, from Imo state, was
allegedly killed by the police at Vryheid town, in
KwaZulu Natal province while being interrogated for
alleged possession of drugs.

Shortly after, on September 5, Clement Ofomoa, a 35-
year-old businessman from Anambra was reportedly
killed by the police at Springs town, near
Johannesburg.

Godwin Adama, Nigeria’s consul-general in South
Africa, said in Johannesburg on Thursday that the
mission sent the letter through the department of
international relations to the government.

“The Nigerian government has been swift in handling
these issues. Following the killing at Vryheid, a senior
diplomat, the officer in charge of consular and
immigration, was immediately sent for an
assessment,” he said.

“The diplomat met with Nigerian community, police,
and family of the deceased.”

Adama said that a report on the incident was sent to
Abuja while the South African high commissioner to
Nigeria was summoned over the alleged killings.

“The mission is on top of the situation and we are
giving the welfare of Nigerians in South Africa priority,”
Adama further said.

He, however, added that the present challenge was
with the handling of suspects by the South African
police.

According to him, “the issue we are having now is the
police and the way they handle suspects. It is
disturbing us.

“The Nigerian government is against crime and will not
support any Nigerian involved in crime. But if a
suspect is arrested, the due process of the law should
be followed.

“Since the visit of the ministers of foreign affairs and
Interior, we have not had any major issue on
xenophobic attacks. The two governments have been
able to take measures to check it.”

Adama also said the mission was working hard to
ensure that welfare of Nigerians in South Africa was
protected.

“The mission has been visiting areas with potential for
conflict and things have been normal,” he added.

TheCable