Key facts
- Two Nigerian nationals were killed on June 28 in South Africa.
- The killings occurred during anti-immigrant protests.
- One Nigerian was allegedly killed by police officers.
- The other Nigerian was allegedly killed by unidentified attackers.
- Nigeria, Ghana, and Malawi repatriated citizens due to the violence.
Nigeria announced on Sunday that two of its citizens were killed in South Africa on June 28, amidst violent anti-immigrant protests that have targeted African workers. The Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that one individual was allegedly killed by police officers, while the other was killed by unidentified attackers, just two days before protesters issued an unofficial deadline for foreigners to leave the country.
These killings come as foreigners are reportedly being "unduly targeted" in South Africa, raising concerns about the generalization of Nigerians as criminals, according to Nigerian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa. The protests, which occurred in April and May, blamed migrants for high unemployment, crime, and strain on public services. The escalating violence prompted Nigeria, Ghana, and Malawi to repatriate their citizens and summon South African diplomats.
South Africa has a history of such violence, including the 2008 xenophobic attacks that resulted in over 60 deaths.