By JOSHUA OLOMU

The Federal Government has condemned the killings of two Nigerians in South Africa, and demanded a thorough, transparent and expeditious investigations into the circumstances surrounding their deaths.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs made the demand in a statement issued by its spokesperson, Mr Oluwafemi Adeniyi, at the weekend in Abuja.

The demand followed reports of recent killing of two Nigerian nationals – Bishop Taiwo Fakunle and Mr James Uchechukwu Nwankwo.

According to the ministry, Fakunle was murdered at his residence in Kensington, Johannesburg, on Sept. 4, while Nwankwo was killed on Sept. 5 in Sommerset, Cape Town.

The ministry lamented that these killings were happening at a time when foreigners, particularly Africans, are grappling with the devastating impacts of widespread Xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks in South Africa.

“This raise questions about the safety of foreigners in the country and the commitment of the South African authorities to curbing targeted attacks against foreigners.

“It is extremely worrisome that law enforcement agents, saddled with the responsibility of securing lives and property, are exacerbating an already fragile situation by resorting to unacceptable interrogation techniques that have frequently led to the deaths of foreigners.

“Nigeria views these incidents with grave concern and condemns the killings of Bishop Fakunle and Mr Nwankwo in the strongest terms possible,” statement said.

The ministry, therefore, called on the relevant South African authorities to immediately commence thorough and transparent investigations into the circumstances surrounding the two killings.

This, it said, should be done with a view to ensuring that those responsible for the murder are identified and brought to justice in accordance with the law.

It said, “Nigeria expects that this matter would be accorded the attention and urgency required.

“Nigeria values constructive dialogue as a means of resolving differences and has consistently adopted this approach in our engagement with South Africa in an effort to address the irritants of Xenophobia and Afrophobia.”

The Nigerian government expressed concern that a proposed mechanism intended to help both countries respond to emerging threats had not yet been fully implemented by South African authorities.

The ministry said a Memorandum of Understanding on the Establishment of an Early Warning Mechanism, which emerged from Nigeria and South Africa’s dialogue, had already been signed by Nigeria.

“It is yet to be signed by South Africa,” the statement said.

The ministry recalled that Nigeria had formally placed the recurring waves of Xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks in South Africa before the Authority of Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS.

It added that Nigeria’s formal complaint on the development was also before the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union.

“As a follow-up to these diplomatic steps, the Government of Nigeria is actively considering other concrete measures to secure the cooperation of the South African authorities on this matter,” the ministry said.

Meanwhile, the Federal Government of Nigeria extends its heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and prays for the peaceful repose of the souls of late Fakunle and Nwankwo.

The government also prays that their families, friends, and the wider Nigerian community in South Africa will find the strength and fortitude to bear their painful loss. (NAN)