Presidency Kicks as Another Nigerian is Burnt Alive by South African Mob

Alex Enumah The Nigerian community in South Africa has announced the killing of Clement Nwaogu, who was burnt alive by a mob in the latest xenophobic attack in that country.

The Publicity Secretary of the Nigeria Union in South Africa, Habib Miller, confirmed the killing from Pretoria in a telephone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Port Harcourt yesterday.

He said the victim, a native of Njikoka in Anambra State and an upholsterer in South Africa, was attacked and killed by a mob in Rustenburg, North West Province.

Miller said the victim was murdered in cold blood over his accent and habit, which the mobsters supposedly found offensive.

“The mob descended on him like a common criminal with all sorts of dangerous weapons in the presence of South African police officers.

“Eyewitnesses say the victim beckoned for help from the police to intervene and help him, but they turned a blind eye.

“When Nwaogu could no longer persevere, he ran for safety; the mob chased and caught him, poured petrol on him and set him ablaze,” he said.

Miller said the mob then left Nwaogu when they thought he had died.

The spokesman said that shortly after the mob left Nwaogu that some passersby called emergency personnel, who later took the victim’s charred body to the hospital.

“The eyewitnesses feeling that the victim was still alive called for help; unfortunately, Nwaogu could not survive the ordeal and died at Job Shimankane Hospital in Rustenburg,” he said.

In another development, Miller said 14 Nigerians, who protested the killing of a fellow citizen in that country’s North West Province in February are still in detention.

He said thezpolice officers murdered the Nigerian in cold blood on December 17 after failing to extort money from the victim.

Miller said the police officers had since been released on bail while those who protested the killing were still languishing in detention.

“Our legal team is doing everything possible to facilitate the release of the protesters.

“We are worried that nothing has been done by the Nigerian government to stop the killings.

“We once again call on the Nigerian mission in South Africa to do the needful urgently because things are getting out of hand.

“The union with its legal desk will follow up the matter with the appropriate institutions until justice prevails,” he added.

Nwaogu was married to a South African and was blessed with two children; aged three and five years.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalled that the killing of Nwaogu follows extra-judicial killing of another Nigerian, ThankGod Okoro, 30, by the South African Police Flying Squad.

Okoro, a native of Ogbaku in Awgwu Local Government Area of Enugu State, was shot dead at Hamburg, Florida West Rand, Johannesburg on April 9.

Records show that no fewer than 118 Nigerians have been killed in South Africa since February 2016.

However, the Senior Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on Foreign Affairs and Diaspora, Abike Dabiri–Erewa, has condemned the killing, describing his death as unfortunate.

Dabiri-Erewa while condemning the act, called on the South African authorities to find lasting solution to the incessant killing of Nigerians in that country.

The SSA however, admonished Nigerians in outside the country to obey the laws of where they live, and avoid crime and criminality to avoid unwarranted attacks and killings.

She said Rustenburg where the incident happened was a particularly hostile and volatile community, adding that 14 Nigerians, who protested the killing of a fellow citizen in that country’s North West Province some months ago are still in detention.

The SSA said though the offence they were been held are bail able but, the judge has been threatened not to released them.

“That if they are released and returned to the community, all houses of Nigerians living there will be burnt down, accusing the Nigerians of being responsible for drugs and crime in that community.

“Just a few days ago, on the April 17, the case came up in court.

“There was so much tension that even the Nigerian lawyers representing the Nigerians had to be escorted to court by diplomatic police.

“The community has vowed to deal with anyone who plays a positive role in getting the accused Nigerians return to Rustenberg,” she said.

According to her, the latest incident is apparently a reaction to their threat of dealing with any Nigerian that they find in their community.

She said both the mission in Pretoria and the consulate in Joburg had done everything possible in the recent past to get justice for Nigerians in South Africa

“Four South African policemen are currently in court for killing, maltreating Nigerians with embassy officials constantly present in court for the hearings. This is the first time this would be happening,” she said.

Dabiri-Erewa, however, called for the review of the early warning signal put in place by the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Interiors of both countries in addressing the situation.