109 Nigerians murdered in South Africa

By Femi Oguntuberu

Some 109 Nigerians have been killed in South Africa since Xenophobic attacks began, Nigerian community leaders in SA have said.

The 109 were murdered in hate related crime between 2019 and 2026

Late last week Ghana began the evacuation of her citizens amidst rising unrest and attacks by locals who accuse foreigners of taking their jobs.

The Ghanian President regreted that despite Ghana’s contributions to end apatheid, her citizens continue to suffer attacks and killings

The leader of Nigerian Union South Africa (NUSA), Smart Nwobi and Nigerian Citizens Association South Africa (NICASA), Frank Onyekwelu in a statement made available to Irohinoodua said the attacks on Nigerians continue unabated.

Earlier, the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) and the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO),had said migrants migrants were not being killed in South Africa.

But the Nigerian community leaders desribe the authority claims as false and misleading.

The Nigerian leaders warned that denial of migrant-relates murder encourage more attacks on foeigners in South Africa.

Reports monitored by Irohinoodua saw many Nigerians living on the streets either having been dislodged or left their homes for fear of attacks.

It said denial also.discourage victims and witnesses from reporting abuses, thereby undermining justice and social cohesion.

The community insisted that Nigerians and other foreign nationals had repeatedly been victims of xenophobic violence, including mob attacks, shootings, vigilante actions and alleged unlawful use of force.

While noting the need for responsible public communication, the group said it was important to acknowledge what it described as recurring incidents affecting migrants.

The statement said “available community records showed that in 2019, several Nigerian businesses, shops and vehicles were destroyed during xenophobic unrest in Johannesburg, with about 12 Nigerians reportedly killed in the violence.”

In 2022, more than 17 Nigerians were killed in violent attacks and through misconducts of South African security personnel.

The leaders said over 40 Nigerians were killed in 2023 through mob attacks and violent encounters.

It said that eight Nigerians died under tragic circumstances in 2024, while another eight reportedly lost their lives in 2025 in shootings, violent confrontations and deaths in custody.

The leaders said this year alone, 2026 over 20 Nigerians have been murdered.