The Nigerian government has demanded an urgent and transparent investigation into the death of one of its nationals after the 48-year-old man died following his arrest by South African police in Cape Town.
South African police have confirmed that an inquest docket was opened after the Nigerian man, identified by his government as James Uchechukwu Nwankwo, died on Sunday, September 6, 2026.
Nigeria has, however, made serious allegations about the circumstances surrounding Nwankwo’s death, claiming he was killed as a result of “gruesome interrogation techniques” by members of the South African Police Service (SAPS).
Police have presented a different account, saying Nwankwo had been arrested for possession of drugs and complained of difficulty breathing while being transported to Lwandle police station.
The Nigerian government has now linked this death to broader concerns over the safety and treatment of its citizens in South Africa.
Police say man complained of shortness of breath
Police spokesperson Constable Ndakhe Gwala said an inquest was being conducted.
“An inquest docket was opened following the death of a 48-year-old male suspect on Sunday, September 6, 2026, who was arrested for possession of drugs,” Gwala said.
“The deceased complained about shortness of breath while being transported to Lwandle police station.”
According to Gwala, the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) was notified and attended the scene.
“IPID was informed, and they attended the scene but did not take the case docket as the deceased had no bruises or injuries to suggest that he was assaulted,” Gwala said.
Police did not provide further details on when or where Nwankwo was pronounced dead, or what ultimately caused his death.
Nigeria’s allegations
In a strongly worded statement issued on Friday, Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs disputed the apparent circumstances surrounding Nwankwo’s death, alleging that he was “killed by gruesome interrogation techniques” by SAPS officers.
The ministry condemned his death alongside the killing of another Nigerian national, Bishop Taiwo Michael Fakunle, who it said was murdered at his Kensington home in Johannesburg on September 4.
Nigeria said the two deaths raised serious questions about the safety of foreigners in South Africa and accused authorities of failing to adequately curb attacks against foreign nationals.
“It is also extremely worrisome that law enforcement agents, saddled with the responsibility of securing lives and property, are exacerbating an already fragile situation by resorting to unacceptable interrogation techniques that have frequently led to the deaths of foreigners,” the ministry said.
The allegation against police has not been independently established, and the SAPS’ account that there were no visible injuries suggesting an assault stands in contrast to Nigeria’s claim.
Nigerian government demands urgent investigation
Nigeria said it condemned the deaths of Fakunle and Nwankwo “in the strongest terms possible” and called on South African authorities to establish exactly what happened.
“The Federal Government of Nigeria calls on the relevant South African authorities to immediately commence thorough and transparent investigations into the circumstances surrounding the two killings, with a view to ensuring that those responsible for the murder are identified and brought to justice in accordance with the law,” the ministry said.
“Nigeria expects that this matter would be accorded the attention and urgency required.”
The government also said it had previously raised recurring xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks in South Africa with both the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the African Union.
Early-warning mechanism
Nigeria further criticised South Africa over delays surrounding a proposed early-warning mechanism intended to help the countries address xenophobic and Afrophobic violence.
According to the ministry, Nigeria has signed the memorandum of understanding establishing the mechanism, but South Africa has yet to do so.
“It is, therefore, concerning that the Memorandum of Understanding on the Establishment of an Early Warning Mechanism, which emerged from our constructive dialogue and has since been duly signed by Nigeria, is yet to be signed by South Africa,” the ministry said.
The Nigerian government said it was “actively considering other concrete measures” to secure South African authorities’ cooperation on the issue.
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