Nigerian Killed By South African Police

Out going South Africa Ambassador

The out-going South African High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr. Kingsley Mamabolo, Monday assured the Federal Government that the South African government would look into the  recent  killing of a Nigerian,  Mr. Obinna Ugboaja,  by security agents  in South Africa.

Mamabolo made the promise when the Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on the Diaspora Affairs, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, led a delegation on a visit to the South African High Commission in Abuja.

Mamabolo, whose tenure as High Commissioner in Nigeria would expire tomorrow, assured Nigerians that South Africa would not condone injustice in its relationship with other countries particularly Nigeria.

The South African government, Mamabolo said,  would look into the  case to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the death  of the  Nigerian.

“This latest case will be properly investigated and there would be no cover up. There is no special law in South Africa for citizens and non-citizens alike. The law is equal for anybody,” he  said.

He blamed the protest by some Nigerians  in South Africa on the matter to lack of adequate information and wrong perception.

According to him,  regular  interactions  between Nigeria and South Africa  would minimise the level of  distrust and  misinformation which usually fuels crisis.
Dabiri-Erewa had in the course of the visit expressed concern over the increasing cases of Nigerians being killed  in South Africa.

The lawmaker advised that there was the need to create awareness for the younger South Africans to know the role Nigeria  played in the struggle against  apartheid in South Africa.

She however advised  Nigerians living abroad to be law abiding in their respective countries of residence and avoid situations  that could get them  into trouble.

Recall that members of Nigerian community in Western Cape, South Africa staged a protest in Cape Town on January 18,  2013 over the alleged death  of a Nigerian in the custody of the police  South Africa.