The Nigerian Citizens Association in South Africa (NICASA) has strongly condemned the death of 40-year-old Nigerian, Benjamin Okoli, who died while in police custody.
Okoli’s passing comes less than a month after NICASA denounced the death of another Nigerian, 50-year-old Jeremiah Okoye, who also died in police custody on January 13.
Speaking in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), NICASA President-General Dr. Frank Onyekwelu described the repeated deaths of Nigerians in South Africa as “unbearable.”
“The Nigerian community in South Africa is mourning yet another loss in police custody,” Onyekwelu said. Okoli, originally from Akpu in Orumba South, Anambra State, is survived by his wife and child.
According to Onyekwelu, Okoli was stopped and searched by police officers before being taken to his home with his brother for further inspection. “Despite finding nothing, the officers tortured, beat, and brutalized them. Okoli could not withstand the assault and fell into a coma,” he revealed.
His brother’s desperate attempts to revive him were unsuccessful, while the police allegedly stood by and watched. Paramedics later pronounced him dead.
NICASA noted that investigations into Okoye’s death were still ongoing when Okoli was killed under similar circumstances—allegedly by 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,” Onyekwelu lamented.
Leaders of NICASA in Limpopo province are deeply troubled by what they describe as a disturbing trend of Nigerian nationals being targeted. “We call on the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) to ensure the officers responsible for these gruesome deaths are brought to justice,” he urged.
NICASA has reported the incidents to the Nigerian Missions in Pretoria and Johannesburg, hoping diplomatic efforts will help prevent further tragedies. Meanwhile, Onyekwelu has urged Nigerians in South Africa to remain calm, law-abiding, and continue their daily activities peacefully.
