**Nigeria Sees No Signs of Diminishing Anti-Immigrant Violence in South Africa**
*Published on July 6, 2026*
The safety of African immigrants in South Africa is increasingly jeopardized, according to Nigeria's Foreign Minister, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu. This warning comes in the wake of two Nigerians being killed under disputed circumstances during ongoing anti-immigrant protests in South Africa.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu expressed concern on Monday, stating, “There are no signs that the situation is improving,” as she announced additional evacuation flights for Nigerian nationals. The minister's remarks underscore the escalating tensions surrounding the treatment of immigrants in South Africa, where a series of protests have erupted against undocumented migrants.
The Nigerian Foreign Ministry reported that Musa Yunana Joe was shot and killed in front of his shop in eMalahleni on June 28, while Charles Iroegbu was reportedly killed by South African police during an interrogation in Pretoria on the same day. South African police have indicated that Joe's death does not appear to be connected to the protests, but they have yet to provide a comment regarding Iroegbu's death.
In response to these incidents, Nigeria's Foreign Ministry issued a statement urging the South African government to conduct a thorough investigation into the deaths. The statement warned that if the situation continues to deteriorate, Nigeria would consider various options to address the growing intolerance towards foreigners.
South African Foreign Ministry spokesman Chrispin Phiri responded by inviting Nigeria's High Commission to provide any actionable information that could assist in a comprehensive investigation in line with the rule of law.
The protests against undocumented migrants have persisted for weeks, fueled by sentiments among some South Africans who blame foreign workers for job scarcity and strain on social services. The South African government has faced criticism for its perceived inaction in addressing the violence, which has resulted in numerous fatalities among foreign nationals and widespread looting and destruction of immigrant-owned businesses.
In late May, Mozambique reported that five of its citizens were killed in xenophobic attacks, although South African authorities contested this figure, asserting that only two deaths were linked to such violence. The situation has also strained diplomatic relations, as evidenced by a recent row between Ghana and South Africa following the killing of a Ghanaian national, Bashiru Isak, which the South African government stated was unrelated to the protests.
Amid the escalating violence, hundreds of Nigerians, along with many other foreign nationals, have begun to leave South Africa, a country that was once viewed as a promising destination for immigrants due to its relatively strong economy. The Ugandan High Commission in Pretoria announced on Monday that a fourth group of Ugandan nationals would be voluntarily repatriated.
The ongoing crisis highlights a broader issue of xenophobia in South Africa, a nation that has grappled with violent crime long before the recent surge in anti-immigrant sentiments. As the situation evolves, the international community is closely monitoring the developments, particularly the safety and well-being of African immigrants residing in South Africa.