Two Nigerians have reportedly died in South African police custody in 2025 alone, raising concerns over a troubling pattern that demands urgent attention from Nigerian authorities.
Forty-year-old Benjamin Okoli allegedly lost his life in police custody in early February, less than a month after another Nigerian, 50-year-old Jeremiah Okoye, died under similar circumstances.
The Nigerian Citizens Association in South Africa (NICASA) condemned the recurring deaths, expressing fears that Nigerians were being unfairly targeted and brutalized by South African police. NICASA President-General, Frank Onyekwelu, called for immediate intervention by the Nigerian government, describing the situation as intolerable.
According to Onyekwelu, Okoli, a native of Akpu in Orumba South, Anambra State, was stopped and searched by South African police, who later took him home for further investigation. Despite finding nothing incriminating, officers allegedly tortured and brutalized him alongside his brother. Unable to withstand the assault, Okoli reportedly fell into a coma as the police stood by and watched. Paramedics later arrived but pronounced him dead.
The association noted that Okoli’s case was particularly alarming because it occurred while investigations were still ongoing into Okoye’s death. Okoye, a longtime resident of Limpopo Province for 22 years and originally from Ezinifite Nnewi, Anambra, allegedly died in police custody on January 13th. NICASA leaders in Limpopo expressed deep concern over what they described as a disturbing trend of Nigerian nationals being singled out.
Following Okoye’s death, the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) confirmed it had launched an investigation. NiDCOM spokesperson, Abdulrahman Balogun, assured that the commission was looking into the matter. However, before any conclusions could be reached, Okoli had already fallen victim in eerily similar circumstances.
The Nigerian government must take decisive action to uncover the truth behind these deaths and, if necessary, engage South African authorities to ensure Nigerian lives are protected.
This alarming trend is not new. Last December, 37-year-old Julius Chukwunta, a native of Enugu State, was attacked by four men while driving home in Midrand Protea Estate, South Africa. He suffered a severe head injury on December 7th and succumbed to his wounds on December 13th. Justice has yet to be served in his case.
