The Ministry of Foreign Affairs released a statement Sunday, July 5, strongly condemning the deaths of two Nigerian nationals.

One victim, Emeka Charles Iroegbu, was reportedly killed by Tshwane Metro Police officers on Sunday, June 28, in Sunnyside, Pretoria.

The government said officers used brutal questioning methods during the incident.

The statement stated that these same officers were allegedly responsible for the extrajudicial killing of another Nigerian, Mr. Nnaemeka Mathew Andrew Ekpenyong, on Monday, April 20. His case is still pending, and no arrests have been made, even though the four officers involved are known to the South African Police Service (SAPS).

The second victim, Mr. Musa Yunana Joe, popularly known as Big Joe, was killed in front of his shop on Sunday, June 28, in Witbank, Mpumalanga. Nigeria expressed great concern that yet-to-be-identified criminals committed the killing.

Officials said in the statement that these deaths happened at a time when foreigners are being unfairly targeted in the country.

This raised questions about a "deliberate attempt by some elements to wrongfully generalize and tag well-meaning, hard-working, and respectable Nigerians as criminals."

The government also questioned the general safety of Nigerians and other foreigners in South Africa. Nigeria stated that the ongoing pattern of violence proved security officers were involved in the crimes.

The ministry said the actions of the Tshwane Metro Police raised "the question of state responsibility under international law."

Officials gathered data through their missions to establish grounds for criminal liability. The statement noted that South Africa suffered from high crime rates, including "the culture of looting and mob action."

Nigeria claimed its citizens stayed civil and followed the law while living abroad. The government said it was "unfair to target foreigners and make them scapegoats of endemic socio-economic conditions that need to be addressed by the authorities."

Nigeria also shared concerns about a televised public statement made by a South African government spokesperson. The official reportedly asked Nigerians leaving the country "to show where they hide illegal drugs."

Nigeria condemned the "derogatory, unprofessional, and uncensored generalised public statements" as hate speech.

The government said these words influenced negative and criminal actions against the Nigerian community.

Leaders of groups like "March on March" and "Operation Dudula" will be held accountable for inciting violence. Nigeria said these individuals would face "regional and international criminal liability."

Nigeria called on South African authorities to conduct urgent investigations into the two killings and several other pending cases of extra-judicial killings of Nigerian nationals.

The government demanded that the perpetrators of the "heinous crimes are brought to justice without further delay."

The federal government shared its sympathy with the families and associates of the deceased. Officials promised to "engage the highest authorities in South Africa until justice is served."

Due to the "volatile security situation," the government appealed to its nationals to remain calm, law-abiding, and security-conscious.

The ministry advised Nigerians to "move to safer neighbourhoods and avoid areas that are prone to violent activities."