Nigeria condemns killing of two citizens in South Africa as tensions rise

Nigeria's foreign ministry issued a statement on Sunday strongly condemning the deaths of two of its citizens in South Africa. According to the ministry, one victim, identified as Iroegbu, was killed in Pretoria by officers from the Tshwane Metro police department. The second victim, Joe, was attacked outside his shop in the city of eMalahleni on June 28.

The statement from Abuja said it was placing the South African government "on notice" and that "all options remain on the table" if the "uncultured and provocative trend of intolerance and apartheid-style behaviour against foreigners is not addressed." Nigeria also said it would seek compensation from South Africa for its citizens who have left the country, adding that it had begun documenting businesses and properties left behind by Nigerians.

However, during a media briefing on Friday, South African cabinet minister Khumbudzo Ntshavheni said her government would not pay compensation, and that Nigerians could sell registered properties they left behind on the South African market. She also remarked: "We would be interested to know where the drug dens of Nigerians are, so they can show us where they have been holding the drugs so we can clean the drugs in South Africa quite urgently."

Nigeria's foreign ministry strongly condemned this comment in its Sunday statement, calling it "unacceptable." The ministry said: "Such derogatory, unprofessional and uncensored generalised public statements by highly placed government officials constitute hate speech."