Nigerian community in South Africa threatens protest over killing of citizen

Nigerian community in South Africa has threatened to stage a protest over the killing of a Nigerian national, Emeka Uzor, who was reportedly shot during an anti-drug operation in Gauteng, a suburb of Johannesburg.

Uzor was said to have been killed at about 3:00 p.m. on February 8, 2026, at a Carltex petrol station in Windsor East, Randburg.

In a statement published on its website on Monday, South African political group, ActionSA, confirmed that the fatal shooting occurred in the course of its anti-drug raid in the area.

The group stated, “ActionSA can confirm that during an anti-drug operation yesterday, joined by ActionSA’s Ekurhuleni mayoral candidate, Councillor Xolani Khumalo, a shooting incident occurred in which a Nigerian suspect, identified as being involved in drug trafficking, was shot.”

ActionSA further justified its operation, saying drug syndicates had long terrorised communities through violence and intimidation.

“For too long, drug syndicates have terrorised our communities through violence, intimidation and a total disregard for the rule of law. ActionSA will continue to support decisive and lawful actions to dismantle this menace and confront the violent resistance of criminals who believe they are untouchable,” the statement added.

The party also cited its 10-point Action Plan for Ekurhuleni, noting that it empowers the group to deploy resources to combat crime, including specialised units, crime-mapping technology and strengthened community policing structures.

However, the President of the Nigerian Union South Africa, NUSA, Mr Smart Nwobi, rejected claims that Uzor was a drug dealer and accused those involved in the operation of acting outside the law.

Speaking on Monday, Nwobi questioned why Uzor was allegedly killed instead of being arrested if he was suspected of criminal activity.

He said, “What we are saying is that the victim is not a drug dealer. My question is simple: do you shoot a drug suspect from a distance, or do you arrest him?

“Anytime a Nigerian is killed, the narrative is quickly pushed that he was a fraudster or a drug dealer so people will not ask questions. We are not going to accept that this time.”

Nwobi lamented that similar incidents in the past were not properly addressed, emboldening perpetrators.

“Something like this happened last year and nothing came out of it. That is why they keep taking advantage of our people. There have been no strong diplomatic responses or firm government actions,” he added.

The union president also alleged that the individual involved in Uzor’s killing had previously been linked to the disappearance of another Nigerian.

“It is the same person who shot Uzor that made one of our brothers disappear. He is not a police officer but a member of a security outfit. He allegedly electrocuted one of our brothers and removed his body. Till today, we have not found him,” Nwobi alleged.

He disclosed that the union had formally written to Nigeria’s newly posted Consul General in South Africa and warned that protests would follow if decisive action was not taken.

In a separate statement issued later on Monday, NUSA said Uzor, who hailed from Nkerefi in Nkanu East Local Government Area of Enugu State, was shot multiple times while seated in his parked vehicle.

The union alleged that Uzor was hit by more than 12 bullets, adding that stray shots damaged nearby vehicles and endangered other civilians at the scene.

“NUSA notes with grave concern that this incident occurred in the presence of a media production crew, including Mr Xolani Khumalo, a former host of Sizok’thola on Moja Love and the ActionSA Ekurhuleni mayoral candidate,” the statement read.

The union condemned comments attributed to Khumalo which appeared to justify the killing, describing them as “careless, irresponsible and deeply inhumane.”

“This tragic killing bears disturbing similarities to the unresolved case of Mr Silas Ani, another Nigerian national allegedly killed under comparable circumstances. These incidents point to a troubling pattern of violence against Nigerians in South Africa,” the statement added.

NUSA called on the South African government, particularly the Minister of Police and the National Commissioner of the South African Police Service, to conduct a thorough, transparent and impartial investigation into the killing.

The union also demanded accountability for all individuals involved and urged authorities to address what it described as recurring attacks on Nigerians in the country.

While expressing confidence in South Africa’s justice system, NUSA warned that extrajudicial killings had no place in a constitutional democracy.

Nwobi urged Nigerians living in South Africa to remain calm and law-abiding, assuring them that the union was engaging relevant authorities to ensure justice is served.

The union also extended condolences to Uzor’s family and friends, praying for strength to bear the loss.

When contacted on Monday, the spokesperson of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, NiDCOM, Mr Abdulrahman Balogun, said the commission had not yet received an official report on the incident.

“I only read about it online. We have not been formally notified. Once we receive official communication, appropriate action will be taken,” he said.

Nigerian community in South Africa threatens protest over killing of citizen