The Nigerian community in South Africa has threatened to stage a protest following the killing of a Nigerian national, Emeka Uzor, during an anti-drug operation in Gauteng, near Johannesburg.
Uzor was reportedly shot at about 3:00 p.m. on February 8, 2026, at a Caltex petrol station in Windsor East, Randburg.
South African political party ActionSA confirmed the incident in a statement published on its website on Monday, saying the shooting occurred during an anti-drug raid in the area.
“ActionSA can confirm that during an anti-drug operation yesterday, joined by ActionSA’s Ekurhuleni mayoral candidate, Councillor Xolani Khumalo, a shooting incident occurred in which a Nigerian suspect, identified as being involved in drug trafficking, was shot,” the party said.
The group defended its actions, stating that drug syndicates had long terrorized communities through violence and intimidation.
“For too long, drug syndicates have terrorized our communities through violence, intimidation, and a total disregard for the rule of law. ActionSA will continue to support decisive and lawful actions to dismantle this menace,” the statement added.
ActionSA also referenced its 10-point Action Plan for Ekurhuleni, which includes the deployment of specialized units, crime-mapping technology, and strengthened community policing to combat crime.
However, the President of the Nigerian Union South Africa (NUSA), Mr. Smart Nwobi, dismissed claims that Uzor was a drug dealer, accusing those involved in the operation of acting outside the law.
Speaking on Monday, Nwobi questioned why Uzor was allegedly killed rather than arrested if he was suspected of criminal activity.
“What we are saying is that the victim is not a drug dealer. Do you shoot a drug suspect from a distance, or do you arrest him?” Nwobi asked.
“Anytime a Nigerian is killed, the narrative is quickly pushed that he was a fraudster or a drug dealer so people will not ask questions. We are not going to accept that this time.”
He lamented that similar cases in the past were not properly investigated, which he said had emboldened perpetrators.
“Something like this happened last year, and nothing came out of it. That is why they keep taking advantage of our people,” he said.
Nwobi also alleged that the individual involved in Uzor’s killing had previously been linked to the disappearance of another Nigerian national.
“He is not a police officer but a member of a security outfit. He allegedly electrocuted one of our brothers and removed his body. Till today, we have not found him,” Nwobi claimed.
He disclosed that NUSA had written to Nigeria’s newly posted Consul General in South Africa, warning that protests would be organized if decisive action was not taken.
In a separate statement later on Monday, NUSA said Uzor, who hailed from Nkerefi in the Nkanu East Local Government Area of Enugu State, was shot multiple times while seated in his parked vehicle.
The union alleged that he was hit by more than 12 bullets, adding that stray shots damaged nearby vehicles and endangered other civilians.
NUSA also expressed concern that the incident occurred in the presence of a media production crew, including Councillor Khumalo, a former television host and ActionSA’s Ekurhuleni mayoral candidate.
The union condemned comments attributed to Khumalo that appeared to justify the killing, describing them as “careless, irresponsible, and deeply inhumane.”
According to NUSA, the incident bears similarities to the unresolved killing of another Nigerian, Mr. Silas Ani, raising concerns about a pattern of violence against Nigerians in South Africa.
The union called on the South African government, particularly the Minister of Police and the National Commissioner of the South African Police Service, to conduct a thorough, transparent, and impartial investigation into Uzor’s death.
It also demanded accountability for all those involved, stressing that extrajudicial killings have no place in a constitutional democracy.
While urging Nigerians in South Africa to remain calm and law-abiding, Nwobi said the union was engaging relevant authorities to ensure justice is served. NUSA also extended condolences to Uzor’s family.
Meanwhile, the spokesperson of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Mr. Abdulrahman Balogun, said the commission had yet to receive an official report on the incident.
“I only read about it online. We have not been formally notified. Once we receive official communication, appropriate action will be taken,” he said.
