Odimmegwa Johnpeter/Abuja
The Chairman, Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has strongly condemned the killing of two Nigerian traders in South Africa, describing the incident as senseless, barbaric, and unacceptable.
The two victims, identified simply as Austin and Ayo, were reportedly shot dead at close range by masked gunmen in Durban.
According to unconfirmed reports, the attackers stormed Austin’s office and opened fire, killing both men on the spot.
In a statement by NIDCOM’s spokesperson, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, Dabiri-Erewa said the Nigerian High Commission in South Africa is already looking into the matter.
She urged the South African authorities to launch a thorough investigation and ensure the perpetrators are brought to justice.
“The Chairman/CEO, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, described the killing of two Nigerian Traders in South Africa by unknown gunmen as intolerable and senseless, with a call to fish out the culprits.
“She said the Nigerian High Commission in South Africa is looking into the matter.
Dabiri-Erewa said this latest unprovoked killing is condemnable and barbaric, calling on South African authorities to thoroughly investigate the matter and expose the perpetrators, ” the statement partly read.
Balogun said she lamented the non-implementation of the early warning mechanisms earlier agreed upon by both countries to prevent such incidents, stressing the need for South Africa to take the arrangement seriously.
“She recalled that the early warning mechanism put in place by both countries to prevent such killings is yet to be implemented by South Africa,” the statement added.
While extending condolences to the families of the deceased, Dabiri-Erewa assured them that every effort would be made to ensure justice is served.
Amid rising tension among members of the Nigerian community in South Africa, the NIDCOM boss appealed for calm and urged Nigerians not to take the law into their own hands.
“Following tension rising amongst the Nigerian community in South Africa, Dabiri-Erewa has appealed for calm and urged Nigerians not to take laws into their hands while awaiting the outcome of the investigations by the South African police authorities.
” She added that the Acting Nigerian High Commissioner in South Africa has demanded a thorough and fair investigation into the incident, ” the statement stated.
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