The Federal Government has confirmed the killing of two Nigerians in separate incidents amid renewed xenophobic and anti-migrant tensions in South Africa.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in a statement issued on Friday by its spokesperson, Oluwafemi Adeniyi, identified the deceased as Taiwo Fakunle and James Nwankwo.

According to Adeniyi, Fakunle was murdered at his residence in Kensington, Johannesburg, on September 4, while Nwankwo was reportedly killed the following day in Somerset, Cape Town.

The ministry said Nwankwo died following what it described as “gruesome interrogation techniques” allegedly employed by officers of the South African Police Service (SAPS).

The latest deaths come about two months after two other Nigerians were reportedly killed amid renewed anti-migrant tensions in the country.

In recent months, Nigerians and other African nationals in South Africa have faced attacks, intimidation and destruction of property, raising fresh concerns over the safety of foreign nationals in the country.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed concern over the alleged involvement of law enforcement officers in the latest incidents, particularly the reported use of interrogation methods that it said have frequently resulted in the deaths of foreigners.

The ministry also questioned the commitment of South African authorities to effectively curb targeted attacks against Nigerians and other African nationals.

It further expressed concern over South Africa’s refusal to sign a proposed memorandum of understanding aimed at establishing an early-warning mechanism agreed upon during bilateral discussions between Nigeria and South Africa.

The Federal Government called on South African authorities to conduct thorough and transparent investigations into the circumstances surrounding the deaths of Fakunle and Nwankwo.

It also demanded that those found responsible be identified and brought to justice.

According to the ministry, Nigeria is actively considering “other concrete measures” to secure greater cooperation from South African authorities after previous diplomatic efforts failed to adequately address the recurring attacks.

Among the measures being considered is taking the issue of recurring xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks against Nigerians and other Africans to the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government and the African Union Assembly of Heads of State and Government.