The Nigerian Consulate General in Johannesburg has demanded a thorough investigation into the death of a Nigerian national, Odueze Chimezie Odueze, allegedly tortured by South African police officers in Cape Town.
In a statement dated October 13, 2026, the Consul General, Ninikanwa O. Okey-Uche, said Odueze died on October 9 in the Parklands area of Cape Town.
According to the consulate, the deceased was reportedly arrested at a shopping centre on suspicion of drug possession and taken to his residence for a search, during which no drugs were found.
The mission alleged that Odueze was subsequently subjected to torture despite the unsuccessful search, describing the incident as shocking and distressing to his family and the Nigerian community.
It expressed concern over what it described as a recurring pattern of alleged extrajudicial killings involving Nigerians in South Africa.
The consulate warned that such incidents raised serious questions about the safety of Nigerians and other foreign nationals, particularly amid reports of xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks and threats.
“No matter what the allegations may be, there are processes and steps to justice,” the mission said, stressing that suspects were entitled to due process and a fair hearing in court.
It called on South African authorities to conduct a comprehensive and impartial investigation into the circumstances surrounding Odueze’s death and ensure that anyone found culpable was prosecuted in accordance with the law.
The consulate also appealed to Nigerians living in South Africa to remain calm, law-abiding and security-conscious amid reported attacks and threats against foreign nationals.
While expressing condolences to Odueze’s family, the mission reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the welfare and rights of Nigerians in South Africa.
It vowed to continue seeking justice in the case, insisting that the lives of Nigerians and other nationals must be protected.
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