The Nigerian Citizens Association in South Africa, NICASA, has condemned the death of Benjamin Okoli, a 40-year-old Nigerian citizen in South Africa police custody.
Okoli’s death is the second death recorded in less than a month, following the killing of one Jeremiah Okoye, a 50-year-old Nigerian who died in police custody on Jan. 13, 2025.
NICASA President-General, Frank Onyekwelu, described the deaths of Nigerians in South Africa custody as unbearable.
“The Nigerian community in South Africa is mourning yet another loss in police custody”.
“Okoli was stopped, searched by police officers, and taken to his house with his brother for further inspection. In spite of finding nothing, the officers tortured, beat, and brutalized them. Okoli couldn’t withstand the assault and fell into a coma”.
“His brother’s attempts to revive him failed while the police stood-by and watched as Okoli’s life slipped away.”
He noted that investigations into Okoye’s death were still ongoing when Okoli died in similar circumstances, allegedly at the hands of the same police unit.
“This is the same group of officers accused of killing Okoye. Now, two Nigerians have died in police custody in less than a month”.
NICASA leaders in Limpopo are struggling to come to terms with the disturbing trend, which is increasingly targeting Nigerians in the province.
“We call on the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) to ensure the officers responsible for these gruesome deaths are brought to justice”.
NICASA has informed the Nigerian Missions in Pretoria and Johannesburg about these disturbing incidents.
“We appeal to our nationals to remain calm, law-abiding, and continue their daily activities peacefully”.
