The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) has launched an investigation into the death of Jeremiah Okoye, a 50-year-old Nigerian man who passed away while in police custody in Limpopo, South Africa.
Abdulrahman Balogun, the spokesperson for NiDCOM, confirmed the investigation to PUNCH Metro on Saturday, following reports of Okoye’s death on Friday.
Okoye, a resident of 71 Magazyn Street, Polokwane in Limpopo Province, had lived in South Africa for 22 years before his death. Originally from Eziniffite Nnewi in Anambra State, he died on January 13 while in police detention.
The President of the Nigerian Citizens Association in South Africa (NICASA), Frank Onyekwelu, verified the incident in a statement to PUNCH Online on Friday. He expressed concerns over the persistent issue of police brutality against Nigerians in South Africa and called for strict adherence to the rule of law.
“Investigations are underway to determine the cause of his death. We urge our citizens to respect the law while allowing the authorities to thoroughly examine the circumstances surrounding Okoye’s death,” Onyekwelu stated. He also stressed the importance of preventing this tragedy from becoming another statistic, as the deaths of Nigerians in South Africa, particularly in police custody, have become a disturbing trend.
“We fear that if unchecked, these recurring deaths could develop into a harmful pattern,” Onyekwelu warned.
The NICASA president also confirmed that he had notified the Nigerian High Commission and Consulate in South Africa and reached out to Okoye’s family and friends in Limpopo following the tragic incident.
“Nigerians in South Africa demand justice for Okoye and an end to police brutality. Our lives matter; nationality is not a crime,” he asserted.
In response to inquiries from PUNCH Online, Balogun confirmed that NiDCOM was aware of the situation and had initiated an investigation into the matter.
“This is under investigation,” Balogun stated.
A similar incident occurred when four suspected South African men were accused of killing 37-year-old Nigerian, Mr. Julius Chukwunta. Chukwunta, from Aninri Local Government Area in Enugu State, was reportedly attacked on December 7, 2024, while driving to his home in the Midrand Protea Estate. He was allegedly blocked by the four men, who inflicted a fatal head injury. Chukwunta passed away on December 13, 2024, from the injury.
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