Bishop Taiwo Michael Fakunle, a Nigerian cleric, has been shot and killed in Johannesburg, South Africa.
The Nigerian Citizens Association, South Africa (NICASA), disclosed this in a statement released on Friday.
Rev. Frank Onyekwelu, National President of NICASA, said the victim, who hailed from Ekiti State, was killed at his home in Kensington, Johannesburg.
Onyekwelu said two unidentified individuals gained entry into Fakunle’s home and shot him several times.
He added that the Jeppe Police Station had opened a murder investigation and that NICASA had officially notified the Nigerian Consulate General in Johannesburg.
The NICASA president urged Nigerian diplomats and the South African Police Service to conduct a thorough investigation and ensure that the perpetrators face prosecution.
“According to the information available to NICASA, two suspects gained access to his residence and opened fire on him, reportedly discharging more than seven bullets.
“This was not merely an ordinary loss of life; it was a horrific and senseless act of violence that has robbed a family of a loved one and the Nigerian community of another precious life,” he said.
Backstory…
Bishop Taiwo Michael Fakunle’s killing comes amid heightened tensions in 2026, following anti-migrant protests and attacks spread across parts of South Africa.
In June, two Nigerians were killed amid the unrest, with Nigeria’s Foreign Ministry saying one was allegedly killed by police officers and another by unidentified attackers. The developments came as some protesters gave foreigners deadlines to leave certain communities.
In recent months, there have been attacks and destruction of property targeting Nigerians and other African nationals in South Africa.
Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Sola Enikanolaiye, said in July that government data showed that 98 Nigerians had died in mob and hate-related attacks in South Africa since 2022.
NASS Suspends All Legislative Engagements with S’Africa
Meanwhile, the National Assembly has directed politicians and government officials to stay away from legislative events hosted or organised by S’Africa until further notice. It has also suspended official visits to the country.
The leadership of the Nigerian legislature attributed the decision to ongoing xenophobic attacks against Nigerians in South Africa in a statement signed by Kamoru Ogunlana, Clerk to the National Assembly.
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The statement said reports of Nigerians being killed, injured and displaced, as well as being forced to abandon their homes, businesses, investments and other properties, had deeply alarmed the National Assembly.
