Nigeria warns anti-immigrant violence in South Africa is not easing

Nigeria has warned that the safety of its nationals and other African migrants in South Africa is deteriorating, after two Nigerians were killed in disputed circumstances during anti-immigrant protests. Nigeria's foreign minister, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, said there were no signs the situation was improving and announced more evacuation flights for citizens who want to leave. The warning comes amid weeks of protests against undocumented migrants and renewed pressure on South African authorities to respond to the violence.

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The Nigerian foreign ministry said the two men were Musa Yunana Joe and Charles Iroegbu, both killed on 28 June. According to the ministry, Joe was killed in front of his shop in eMalahleni by unidentified criminals, while Iroegbu died during interrogation in Pretoria. South African police said Joe's killing did not appear to be linked to the protests, but they could not immediately comment on Iroegbu's death.

South Africa's foreign ministry spokesman, Chrispin Phiri, said Nigeria's High Commission had been asked to provide any actionable information to law enforcement so that a thorough and objective investigation could be carried out. The deaths have added to concern over the scale of anti-migrant unrest in South Africa, where shops owned by immigrants have been looted and torched and several foreigners have been killed in recent weeks. Nigeria said it was placing the South African government on notice that if the situation continues, all options remain on the table.

The statement reflects growing frustration in Abuja over what it sees as a failure to do enough to stop xenophobic attacks and protect foreign nationals. Mozambique has also said five of its citizens were killed in xenophobic attacks in late May, although South Africa said the number was only two. The dispute matters because it has moved beyond domestic policing into a wider diplomatic issue between African states.

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South Africa is one of the continent's largest economies and a major destination for migrants from elsewhere in Africa, making tensions over jobs, services and immigration politically sensitive. The protests have been driven by claims from some South Africans that undocumented migrants are taking jobs and placing pressure on public services. That has created a recurring cycle of violence, official denials and diplomatic complaints from neighbouring countries whose citizens are affected.

Nigeria's latest intervention also follows a separate diplomatic row with Ghana last week after the killing of a Ghanaian national. South African authorities have faced repeated criticism for not doing enough to crack down on xenophobic violence, while insisting that investigations must be based on verified evidence. The current case has sharpened scrutiny of how police handle deaths linked to the unrest and whether the state can prevent further attacks on migrants.

It also raises the possibility of further bilateral pressure if more deaths are confirmed or if evacuation efforts expand. What remains unclear is whether the two deaths will be formally linked to the protests after investigation, and whether the latest Nigerian warning will lead to any concrete diplomatic or legal steps. South African authorities have asked for actionable information, but no public conclusion has been given on Iroegbu's death.

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