The Presidency yesterday condemned the killing of Nigerians in xenophobic attacks in South Africa.
“We have lost about 116 Nigerians in the last two years and in 2016 alone, about 20 were killed. This is unacceptable to the people and government of Nigeria,” the Presidency said in a statement by Senior Special Assistant to the President on Foreign Affairs and the Diaspora, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa.
The Nigerian community has continued to live in fear. Some of its members were yesterday receiving calls threatening more attacks against their homes and businesses.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that some South Africans launched xenophobic attacks against Nigerians and other foreign nationals in Pretoria West at the weekend.
No fewer than five homes and businesses belonging to Nigerians were burnt by a mob.
Mr Ikechukwu Anyene, President, Nigeria Union, South Africa, told NAN on telephone from Pretoria, that some Nigerians received calls asking for payment to protect their homes and businesses.
“ Some Nigerians and other foreign nationals in Pretoria West now live in fear. Some have started packing their belongings for fear of more attacks.
“ They confirmed to the union that some South Africans were calling and threatening to unleash more mayhem against them.
“The callers asked for money to be spared the attacks.
“ The union is worried about the development because the South African police are yet to arrest those who perpetrated last Saturday`s attacks,” he said.
According to Anyene, the union has pleaded with Nigerians to take precautionary measures and remain law abiding.
“ We also urge the Federal Government to persuade its South African counterpart to put in place measures to guarantee the safety of Nigerians,” he said.
The Presidency urged restraint and called on Nigerians to be extra cautious.
The statement called on the South African government to take decisive and definitive measures to protect Nigerian citizens and other Africans within South African borders.
Anyene added: “As we speak, five buildings with Nigerian business, including a church, have been looted and burned by South Africans.”
Mrs Dabiri-Erewa said that the African Union (AU) was being called upon to intervene because there was credible information that more xenophobic attacks on foreigners will take place on February 22 and 23.
Two weeks ago, Mrs Dabiri-Erewa met with South African High Commissioner in Nigeria Mr. Lulu Aaron-Mnguni, on the killing of Nigerians in South Africa.
Mr. Mnguni said the government was investigating the matter.
The Senate and the House of Representatives Committees on the Diaspora also yesterday condemned the attacks.
The committees asked the Federal Government to take a harder stance against attacks on Nigerians in other countries.
The condemnation was informed by alleged killing of many Nigerians, including Tochukwu Nnadi, a 34-year-old businessman by South African police on December 29, 2016.
Chairman of the Senate Committee on the Diaspora Senator Rose Oko said her committee wrote to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to furnish it with details of the killing.
She said: “We have written to Ministry of Foreign Affairs to avail us with what happened in South Africa between the police and the man.
“We condemn in very strong term these attacks on Nigerians. There are extra-judicial killings in South Africa and there are Xenophobic attacks on Nigerians in South Africa.
“You aware that in 2016 alone, about 20 Nigerians were killed in extra-judicial manner. Before this time, several others have been killed in extra-judicial manner. There are several incident of xenophobic attacks on Nigerians in South Africa.
“You are also aware that Nigeria/ South Africa have excellent diplomatic ties. In 2013, when there were xenophobic attacks, our former President signed Memorandum of Understanding to re-enforce diplomatic ties.”
The Cross River North lawmaker said killing of Nigerians in South Africa is against all known laws across the globe.
She noted that even the constitution of South Africa guaranteed human rights and fair hearing.
Senator Oko recalled the contributions of Nigeria towards the liberation struggle in South Africa.
The House Committee on Diaspora did not spare the Federal Government, criticising it for doing nothing to stem the attacks.
Speaking with reporters at the National Assembly Chairperson Rita Orji said she was not going to be part of the “conspiracy of silence”.
According to her, Nigerians in the Diaspora are only dear to the government because of the funds they remit home.
She accused the government of over-protecting the businesses and interests of South Africa to the detriment of Nigeria.
The government, she said, “is not taking a critical look at what Nigerians in Diaspora face in the countries in which they are”.
She urged the Foreign Affairs Ministry to call for a full briefing from the Nigerian Embassy in South Africa “on how many Nigerians were killed and how many houses were burnt and property looted.
“The South African Government should bear in mind that Nigerians know that they have interests, they have businesses here and they have South Africans here. They should not put their people in jeopardy.”
Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Khadija Bukar Abba Ibrahim told the committee that though it was the responsibility of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to protect the interest of Nigeria and Nigerians abroad, funds were not made available to the ministry until the 2017 budget proposals.
The minister said: “It is estimated that there are up to 15 million Nigerians abroad. It is, therefore, a herculean task for the ministry to provide protection and welfare assistance when no provision was made for that purpose in the missions’ budget.
“Other countries make financial provision for repatriation of remains, lost income and loss of passport, funeral expenses, medical bills, among others, which our missions can’t, due to the paucity of funds. Yet, Nigerians expect, unrealistically, missions to offer these services.”
According to her, it is only in the 2017 budget that the sum of N400,000,000.00 ($1.3 million) was appropriated.”
Tag: South Africa
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Presidency to South Africa: end attacks on Nigerians
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Xenophobia: S/Africans attack Nigerian businesses, says Union
The Nigerian Community in South Africa have confirmed attacks and looting of Nigerian-owned businesses in Pretoria West on Saturday.
Mr Ikechukwu Anyene, President, Nigeria Union, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on telephone from Pretoria, South Africa, that the attacks began at 4.00am.
He said that the union had reported the incident to the Nigeria mission and South African police.
“ As we speak, five buildings with Nigerian businesses, including a church have been looted and burned by South Africans.
“ One of the buildings is a mechanic garage with 28 cars under repairs, with other vital documents, were burned during the attack.
“ Also, the pastor of the church was wounded and is in the hospital receiving treatment,” he said.
Anyene said the union had informed Nigerians in South Africa to be vigilant in the face of renewed xenophobic attacks.
According to him, the union received information that there will be xenophobic attacks against foreigners on Feb. 22 and Feb. 23.
“ We began taking precautionary measures when the incident took place today.
“ The attack in Pretoria West is purely xenophobic and criminal attack because they loot the shops and homes before burning them,” he said.
Anyene called on the Federal Government to persuade its South African counterpart to protect Nigerians in their country.
“ These attacks should not be allowed to continue because it is a big setback,” he said. (NAN)
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Killing of Nigerians: Fed Govt demands justice from South Africa
•Says about 116 killed in last two years
The Federal Government has expressed worries over the spate of exra-judicial killings of Nigerians in South Africa.
The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Diaspora Matters, Mrs. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, said there was no justification for the killing of Nigerians by the South African police.
Mrs Dabiri-Erewa appealed to the South African authorities to ensure that justice was done in the case of the Nigerians killed last December .
Tochukwu Nnadi, a 34-year- old business man, was murdered by South African police last December 29.
She spoke yesterday during a visit to the South African Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Lulu Louis Aaron Mnguni, in Abuja.
The meeting, she said ,also afforded her the opportunity to discuss with the ambassador on how best the two countries can work together to achieve minimum crime and minimal negative reports coming out of Africa.
She said: “We are worried about the criminalisation of illegal migration, especially amongst ourselves as brothers in Africa. We are worried in particular about the criminalisation of Nigerian migrants in South Africa. Yes some do commit crimes and deserve to be punished, but the extra-judicial killings worry us.
“At the same time while we appeal to Nigerians wherever they are to obey the laws of the land, we are also worried about extra-judicial killings anywhere in the world. In South Africa, we have lost 116 Nigerians in the last two years. And in 2016 alone, about 20 were killed and 63 per cent according to statistics were extra-judicial killings in particular by the South Afrcan police.
She hoped that the relationship between both countries gets stronger and better.
“We hope that the death of the Nigerian who was killed in last December will get justice in the hand of the South African authority,” she said.
The presidential aide, who showed satisfaction with the assurances extracted from the South African envoy, said : “He has promised that the Nigerian that was killed on December 29, that the case will be properly investigated and justice will be done and his excellency has promised that we are going to get a report on that and that it is not going to be business as usual. ”
The envoy told reporters that the killing would be properly investigated and those involved would be made to face the music.
He said: “Whatever has happened, the family of the deceased should know what happened to their loved one, in terms of the outcome of the investigations.”
South Africa, he said, “has high level of technology to know how a person dies and all we have to do is to ensure that pathologists and the police come out with the truth and that those who have done whatever is wrong are sentenced.”
He added that some murder cases have been resolved with culprits sentenced.
“We have come a long way with Nigeria, a country that was so much relentless in supporting us in the days of apartheid rule.” -
Nigerian families are free to enter S/Africa with children – SAT boss
The head of South African Tourism (SAT), the department charged with marketing and promoting South Africa as a destination, Mr. Sisa Ntshona said the country has relaxed the stringent conditions given to Nigerian families wishing to the enter the country.
He said the law was aimed nipping child trafficking but ended up affecting genuine Nigerian travelers wishing to visit the country with their children.
He said genuine efforts are being made by the country to make sure Nigerian families do not experience difficulties entering the country with their children.
His words: “The policy was aimed at curbing child trafficking. We have what is called unintended consequences. It has made it difficult for genuine people to come. This is where the balance is becoming clear. If you close the door and let zero children come, you are killing an economy, and if you don’t do that, you become a haven for traffickers. You have to create a balance. We have relaxed some of those rules but we keep a balance. The same is the case with the visa issue. When something goes wrong, the first thing they look at is who let these people come in, how come our immigration officers didn’t do their jobs? It is the balance. As we get more confident with each other and know each other better, I am of the view, we will become more relaxed. These are not directly in our control, but these spaces we influence.”
The SAT boss made this clarification during a get together with practitioners in the travel and tourism industry in Lagos.
Ntshona said SAT will continue to invest in the Nigerian tourism market because of its importance to the South African tourism. He said his country has continued to see a steady rise in the number of Nigerians visiting his country. This he attributed to the current devaluation of currency by some countries in Africa including Nigeria which has helped in pushing for greater travel within Africa as Europe, America and Asia becomes too expensive.
One why the SAT focused much on Nigeria, he said: “We look at the world and we size it up and we identify areas of opportunity. Where is the fertile ground for us to be able to invest together? Nigeria is definitely one of them. Infact the whole ECOWAS region led by Nigeria. A couple of things attract us, first is the population itself; second is the income potentials. So, we have been in this market for some time up till the last two years when we opened our physical office. Now, we want to make sure we profile our country in the best possible manner that is relevant for basically what Nigerians are looking for as experience.
“Remember, all over the world, people take vacations differently. Some people love the beach, some are surfers, some love events. So, it is based on this insight that we have to make sure that we profile South Africans in the light that Nigerians want to see it. We have seen growth. Just between now and last year, we have seen a growth of 13 percent. This double digit growth by the way is at the period when the world is just growing at 4 per cent in terms of tourism.”
Ntshona also said the trade shows by his department to sell South Africa to Nigerians and also make Nigerian travel agents understand and experience the country was also yielding dividend as it has seen a rise in the number of Nigerians touring South Africa: “It is absolutely necessary for local tour agents to sell South Africa as a destination if they themselves don’t know it and have not experienced it. So, there a lot of resources, money, time and efforts to take Nigerian tour agents to South Africa to experience the country and verse versa. We bring travel agents from South Africa to Nigeria to create linkage and synergies. That is one; the second one is that when a country’s brand receives favorable responses, things start to happen. I think we are also waking up as a continent to the fact that why do we travel to Europe, why do we travel to the United States? Why do we have to travel to East Asia when we can travel among ourselves? It is that level of co-operation that we are trying to put across.
“I think our depreciating currencies have also help us, because we became more affordable than other destinations. I think all these put together has made us an attractive destination.
“The thing about statistics is that you can get lost in statistics. The fact that you tell me that the Nigerian economy is down, that is an average down. There are some that have an upswing; there are some that is negative. Guess what, we have hit the fertile grown of those that are growing. I mean with a population of 180 to 190 million, 10 per cent of that has probably seen growth figures. It is also smart to invest in an economy especially when it is down, so that when it starts swinging up, you get the positive element.”
The SAT head also said the country is creating new tourism experiences and developing new tourism products for the visitors and also creating a better understanding between South African tour operators and their Nigerian counterparts: “We also have theme parks like in Dubai, ours are natural theme parks. You don’t have to build anything. We are always adding new products all the time. We have got six other provinces that we want to showcase. We also have certain unique experiences. We have sports, medical, conventions, incentives, are all areas we are driving to make sure that you come over and over again.
“Today we are holding a conversation in providing a platform between the South African trade associations to link up with Nigerian trade associations. We need both sides to do very well because when only one side is doing very well it becomes very well. We are also linking them up to pair. We also spoke about tourism programme we have every year in May. That is an opportunity for everyone to come. You will not only meet South African businesses, you those from Rwanda, Kenya, Tanzania to have opportunity to cross-pollinate and start to have integrated approach when you look at tourism business.”
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Why we are shooting BBNaija in S/Africa- Multichoice
MultiChoice, organisers of the Big Brother Naija Reality TV show said hosting the show in South Africa, would enable it achieve high production and meet timelines.
A statement issued by Caroline Oghuma on behalf of the company, explained that the shooting of the show in South Africa would enable it use its fully equipped house.
“We have a fully equipped house in South Africa, which is used for the Big Brother shows.
“This means that we are able to achieve high production values whilst meeting tight timelines and ensuring the show comes to our viewers on time as planned, and with the same globally renowned quality.
“The house has played host to other Big Brother countries including; the general Big Brother Africa, Mozambique, Angola and now Nigeria,’’ the statement quoted Oghuma as saying.
Meanwhile, the Federal Government has directed the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to investigate the circumstances surrounding the reported shooting in South Africa of the ongoing Big Brother Nigeria Reality Show.
The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, in a statement directed the NBC to determine whether Multi-Choice, by shooting the show in South Africa, had breached the Nigerian Broadcasting Code in any way.
He said that the commission should also investigate the issue of possible deceit, since the viewing public was never told that the event would be staged outside Nigeria.
“As a country of laws, only the outcome of the investigation will determine our next line of action,’’ he said.
The minister said that concerned Nigerians had bombarded his office with calls to complain about what they regarded as an anomaly of shooting outside the country a show meant for Nigerians.
He urged them to remain calm, while the NBC investigated the issue and submitted its findings. (NAN)
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2019 AFCON DRAWS:Nigeria drawn in group E to face S.Africa
Nigeria has been placed in group E alongside South Africa, Libya and Seychelles in the 2019 African Cup of Nations Qualifiers draws held today.
The qualifiers will kick off this year with the preliminary round from March 20-28.
The winner automatically through to the AFCON slated for Cameroon in 2019.
GROUP A
Senegal
Equatorial Guinea
Sudan
Sao Tome and Principe/ Madagascar
GROUP B,
Cameroun
Morocco
Malawi
Comoros/ Mauritius
GROUP C
Mali
Gabon
Burundi
Djibouti/South Sudan
GROUP D:
Algeria
Togo
Benin Republic
Gambia.
GROUP E:
Nigeria
South Africa
Libya
Seychelles.
GROUP F:
Ghana
Ethiopia
Sierra-Leone
Kenya.
GROUP G:
DR Congo
Congo
Zimbabwe
Liberia.
GROUP H:
Cote d’ Ivoire
Guinea
Central Africa
Rwanda
GROUP I:
Burkina Faso
Angola
Botswana
Mauritania.
GROUP J:
Tunisia
Egypt
Niger Republic
Swaziland
GROUP K:
Zambia
Mozambique
Guinea-Bissau
Namibia
GROUP L:
Cape Verde
Uganda
Tanzania
Lesotho
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South Africa’s bloody police
• Yet another Nigerian put down summarily by the South African police
Just before the New Year, yet another Nigerian was killed in Cape Town, South Africa, in a most brutish and gruesome manner.It was bad enough that the killing was by the South African police; it was bad enough that it was an extra-judicial killing but most galling is that the victim’s life was snuffed out as if he were a mere animal.
According to reports, Victor Nnadi was suffocated to death by the Metropolitan Police in Cape Town while his brother was detained. Nnadi was said not to have resisted arrest by the police. They had indeed handcuffed him before one of the officers held his neck and squeezed it until blood gushed out of his mouth.
The Nigerian Union in South Africa also reported that on December 24, last year, one Austin Agunwa was abducted by unknown persons in Rustenburg, North West Province. A search team later found the victim’s car abandoned after a crash near a bridge. As at the time of report early January, his whereabouts was yet unknown and none had claimed responsibility for his abduction.
In the last couple of years, South Africa has become something of a land of sorrow and brutal deaths not only for Nigerians but most of black African citizens resident there. About two years ago, xenophobic attacks and killings were rampant with South African mobs targeting fellow blacks living in their country.
Their grouse was that the immigrants had taken the jobs meant for them. There were gory pictures of blacks chased down and surrounded by zealots and beaten to stupor and sometimes death in broad daylight.
Nigerians in particular have been subjected to an especial cruel treatment in South Africa. It is reported that about 20 Nigerians were killed last year alone, both by the police and a xenophobic populace. It is said that Nigerians are the most upwardly mobile blacks in the country and in some places, outshine even the native black.
In spite of heavy and sometimes punitive restrictions imposed by the home government on trade and commerce, Nigerians have continued to thrive and dominate in some quarters. This obviously would trigger envy and loathing.
There is also the factor of crime and unethical practices. Nigerians have been suspected to increasingly engage in all manner of vices, crimes and sharp practices in business dealings. Drug peddling, counterfeiting, and even ritual killings are said to be linked more to the fast-growing Nigerian community across South Africa.
Both none of these would justify the kind of faith that befell Victor Nnadi and most others that may have been killed in similar circumstances. South Africa is noted for her well-developed security system, legal and judicial institutions. It is a reproach on these apparatuses of state that a police officer in uniform would wring the neck of a suspect in broad daylight.
Such bestiality must never be allowed in any modern state. It must be condemned in its totality. No matter the crime Nnadi may have committed, the action of this police officer has over- shadowed it as he has proved to be a worse criminal than the victim.
This is one summary killing too many. We expect the Nigerian government to do more than condemning this killing as has been done once again. Government must quickly investigate this death and 19 others allegedly killed in like manner last year. The current killing must serve as a trigger to start a diplomatic row with South Africa if necessary, if the authorities there do not take serious steps to bring the brutish police officer to book.
South Africa has so many citizens living in Nigeria and there are over a hundred thriving companies and businesses of South African origin. Nigeria and Nigerians have provided them accommodation, peaceful environment to compete and thrive. This is not to mention the historic roles played by Nigerians during South Africa’s struggles against apartheid.
Nigerians deserve better treatment from South Africans. We expect the Federal Government to ensure that even as it works harder to make Nigeria more conducive for Nigerians to live and thrive.When this is done, fewer Nigerians would be desperate to travel out in search of greener pasture. -
Fed Govt condemns killing of Nigerian in South Africa
The Federal Government has condemned the killing of another Nigerian Tochukwu Nnadi in South Africa.
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Foreign Affairs and Diaspora, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, in a statement in Abuja yesterday, described the latest extra-judicial killing as “worrying and condemnable”.
Mrs. Dabiri-Erewa said the gruesome killing of Nnadi by Police in South Africa, was unacceptable to the people and government of Nigeria.
The statement was signed by her media aide, Mr. Abdur-Rahman Balogun.
She reiterated President Muhammadu Buhari’s calls to Nigerians to avoid crimes like drug peddling, which attracts stiff penalties, sometimes death.
The presidential aide noted that the killing of Nnadi had brought to 20 the number of Nigerians killed in South Africa through extrajudicial means in 2016 alone.
Appealing to Nigerians to avoid crimes, Mrs. Dabiri-Erewa said the killing of Nigerians is unacceptable.
“The barbaric behaviour of the perpetrators is not only unacceptable, but also calls for urgent attention by diplomatic authorities in Nigeria and South Africa,” she said.
Mrs. Dabiri-Erewa urged the South African Government to ensure that justice prevails by carrying out investigation and bring the culprit to book.
She reiterated her calls to Nigerians living abroad to always respect the laws of their host countries and be good ambassadors of Nigeria.
She recalled that a Nigerian based in South Africa, Tochukwu Nnadi, was allegedly choked to death by the Police in South Africa on Thursday, after he was arrested for allegedly selling drugs.
According to eyewitnesses, the man, popularly known as King Kingsley, was not struggling after he was arrested and handcuffed, but one of the officers held onto his neck and squeezed tightly until blood started gushing out.
“My heart goes out to the families of the deceased and pray God to grant the departed soul eternal rest,” the SSA prayed.
The Nigeria Union in Pretoria had confirmed the latest killing.
Its secretary, Mr. Adetola Olubajo, told reporters in Pretoria that “Nigeria Union is calling on the Nigerian Mission to demand results of investigations of all murder cases involving Nigerian victims from the South African authority’’.
Olubajo said the union was not happy that all murder cases involving Nigerians in South Africa were never resolved.
In the year 2016 alone, it has brought to 20, the number of Nigerians killed in South Africa under such cruel circumstances.
Among such victims were Ikejiaku Chinedu, Monday Okorie, Gideon Ogalaonye, Nnamdi Michael, Adeniyi Olumoko, Christian Onwukaike and Nnadi.
Nigerians are perennial victims of the xenophobia in South Africa, with Nigerians losing more than 4.6 million Rand or N90 million during the last attacks.
No fewer than 150 South African business organisations are operating in Nigeria, despite the former’s allegedly restrictive policies, which have made it difficult for Nigerians to invest in that country. -
FG condemns killing of Nigerian in S/Africa
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Foreign Affairs and Diaspora, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has described the latest extra-judicial killing of a Nigerian in South Africa as “worrying and condemnable”.
Dabiri-Erewa in a statement in Abuja on Monday said the latest gruesome killing of Tochukwu Nnadi by Police in South Africa, was unacceptable to the people and government of Nigeria.
The statement was signed by her Media aide, Mr Abdur-Rahman Balogun.
She reiterated President Muhammadu Buhari’s calls to Nigerians to avoid crimes like drug peddling which attracts stiff penalties, sometimes death.
The Presidential aide noted that the killing of Nnadi had brought to 20 Nigerians killed in South Africa through extrajudicial means in 2016 alone.
While appealing to Nigerians to avoid crimes, Dabiri-Erewa said the extra judicious killing of Nigerians is condemnable and unacceptable.
“The barbaric behaviour of the perpetrators is not only unacceptable but also calls for urgent attention by diplomatic authorities in Nigeria and South Africa,” she said.
Dabiri-Erewa urged the South African Government to ensure that justice prevails by carrying out investigation and bring the culprit to book.
She reiterated her calls to Nigerians living abroad to always respect the laws of their host countries and be good ambassadors of Nigeria.
She recalled that a Nigerian based in South Africa, Tochukwu Nnadi, was allegedly choked to death by the Police in South Africa on Thursday, Dec. 29, after he was arrested for allegedly selling drugs.
According to eyewitnesses, the man, popularly known as King Kingsley, was not struggling after he was arrested and handcuffed, but one of the officers held onto his neck and squeezed tightly until blood started gushing out.
“My heart goes out to the families of the deceased and pray God to grant the departed soul eternal rest,” the SSA prayed.
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Union in Pretoria had confirmed the latest killing.
The Secretary of the union, Mr Adetola Olubajo, told newsmen in Pretoria that “the Nigeria Union is calling on the Nigerian Mission to demand results of investigations of all murder cases involving Nigerian victims from the South African authority’’.
Olubajo said that the union was not happy that all murder cases involving Nigerians in South Africa were never resolved.
In the year 2016 alone, it has brought to 20, the number of Nigerians killed in South Africa under such cruel circumstances.
Among such victims were Ikejiaku Chinedu, Monday Okorie, Gideon Ogalaonye, Nnamdi Michael, Adeniyi Olumoko, Christian Onwukaike and Tochukwu Nnadi.
Nigerians are perennial victims of the xenophobia in South Africa, with Nigerians losing more than 4.6 million Rand or N90 million during the last attacks.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that about 150 South African business organisations are currently operating in Nigeria, despite the former’s allegedly restrictive policies, which have made it difficult for Nigerians to invest in that country.
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Nigerian killed, another abducted in South Africa
The Nigerian community in South Africa yesterday confirmed the death of a Nigerian and the abduction of another member in the country.
Mr. Ikechukwu Anyene, the President of Nigeria Union, South Africa, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on telephone from Pretoria that both incidents had been reported to the Nigerian Mission in that country.
He alleged that one Victor Nnadi, a native of Orlu in Imo, was suffocated to death on Thursday by the Metropolitan Police in Cape Town.
Anyene claimed that witnesses saw the police handcuff the victim and suffocated him to death.
“When the people saw what happened, they raised an alarm and confronted the police.
“The union’s chapter in Cape Town is already on top of the situation and trying its best to facilitate the release of the detained brother of the deceased,” he said.
Anyene, however, urged the Federal Government to persuade the South African government to put measures in place to stop the killing of Nigerians.
The union, he said, also got information on December 24, that one Austin Agunwa, a native of Umuawulu, in Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra, was abducted by unidentified persons at Rustenburg, North West Province.
He said Nigerians in the province raised a search team, which later found the victim’s car abandoned, after a crash near a bridge.
Anyene, however, said the vehicle had no blood stain.
“As we speak, we don’t know his whereabouts and nobody has claimed responsibility for his abduction.
“We have directed the union’s chapter in the area to report the incident to the police and open a case on the missing Nigerian,” he said.
Anyene also said the union’s national body would liaise with Nigeria’s High Commission to visit Rustenburg over the incident.
“We have also advised our people to be calm and remain law-abiding as the union and the Nigerian Mission are handling the situation,” he said.