The government of Nigeria has described the recent killings of Nigerians in South Africa as wicked and callous while calling for sustained efforts to end it.
In a statement issued Monday, the Consulate General of Nigeria in South Africa said the killings, which happened In the last three weeks, were unnecessary.
It said: ‘The Consulate General of Nigeria, Johannesburg, has received with grave concern reports of recent violent killings of Nigerians in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal Province.
‘The killings, which happened In the last three weeks, are unnecessary, condemnable, and utterly callous. The Consulate General is saddened by these developments and hereby extends its heartfelt condolences to the families and friends of the victims.’
The Mission said while it was confident that the South African Police Service (SAPS) would conduct full and thorough investigations into the murders, it urged all Nigerians residing in KwaZulu-Natal Province to remain calm, security conscious and law-abiding.
It added: ‘To this end, it advised that Nigerians should endeavour to avoid potential flashpoints and immediately report any threat to life and property to the Police.
‘Meanwhile, families directly impacted by the latest gruesome killings may wish to contact the Consulate General for consular assistance.’
In another report, Police authorities in South Africa have launched an investigation into the killing of a German tourist during a case of an attempted carjacking in the eastern Mpumalanga province.
The victim was part of a group of four German tourists who were waylaid on Monday evening while travelling towards a safari lodge at the Kruger National Park.
The gang is said to have ordered the tourists to open the doors of their vehicle, but when the driver reportedly locked all the doors, one of the suspects shot him through the window, police said.
