Chidinma Iroegbu
The Nigerian Consulate General in Johannesburg has called for a thorough investigation into the death of Nigerian national Odueze Chimezie Odueze, allegedly tortured by South African police officers in Cape Town.
In a press statement dated October 13, 2026, Consul General Ninikanwa O. Okey-Uche said Odueze died on October 9 in the Parklands area of Cape Town.
The consulate said the deceased was reportedly arrested at a shopping centre on suspicion of drug possession and taken to his residence for a search, where no drugs were found.
It alleged that he was subjected to torture despite the search yielding no drugs, describing the incident as a source of shock and distress to his family and the Nigerian community.
The mission expressed concern over what it described as a recurring pattern of alleged extrajudicial killings involving Nigerians in South Africa.
It warned that such incidents raise serious concerns about the safety of Nigerians and other foreign nationals amid reports of xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks and threats.
“No matter what the allegations may be, there are processes and steps to justice,” the consulate said, insisting that suspects must receive a fair hearing in court.
The mission urged South African authorities to conduct a comprehensive investigation and ensure that anyone found responsible faces prosecution in accordance with the law.
It also appealed to Nigerians in South Africa to remain calm, law-abiding and security-conscious amid the reported attacks and threats against foreigners.
The consulate expressed condolences to Odueze’s family and pledged to continue seeking the protection, welfare and fair treatment of Nigerians in South Africa, stressing that it would not relent in insisting that “Nigerian and all lives matter.”