‎Nigerian community in South Africa threatens protest after countryman’s killing

Johannesburg, South Africa — February 10, 2026 — Members of the Nigerian community in South Africa have threatened to stage a protest demanding justice following the killing of a Nigerian national during a law-enforcement operation in the Gauteng province.
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‎The deceased, identified as Emeka Uzor, was reportedly shot dead on February 8, 2026, around 3 p.m. at a Carltex garage in Windsor East, Randburg, a suburb northwest of Johannesburg, during what authorities described as an anti-drug operation.
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‎In a statement confirming the incident, the political party ActionSA said its anti-drug raid, which included its Ekurhuleni mayoral candidate, resulted in the shooting of a Nigerian suspect allegedly linked to drug trafficking.
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‎However, Smart Nwobi, President of the Nigerian Union in South Africa, disputed the official account, insisting Uzor was not a drug dealer and should have been arrested instead of being shot. He accused those involved in the operation of acting unlawfully.
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‎Nwobi also alleged that the individual behind Uzor’s killing was previously implicated in the disappearance of another Nigerian and criticised the lack of diplomatic response from Nigerian authorities.
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‎The Nigerian community has reportedly written to the Nigerian Consul General in South Africa and warned that protests will follow if no action is taken. They are calling on South African authorities to conduct a transparent investigation and hold those responsible to account.
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‎Local community leaders stressed the need for justice and condemned what they described as a pattern of violence against Nigerian nationals in the country, urging authorities to address rising concerns and prevent further loss of life.
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