The Abia State Government has condemned the alleged killing of an indigene of the state, Chika Ibe, by members of the South African Police Service in Cape Town, South Africa, describing the incident as cruel and unacceptable.
Ibe, a native of Lokpaukwu in Umunneochi Local Government Area of Abia State, was reportedly killed on July 23, 2026, during an encounter with South African police officers.
The state government, in a statement issued on Tuesday by Governor Alex Otti’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ferdinand Ekeoma, said it received news of the incident with “shock and deep sadness.”
The statement said Governor Otti, on behalf of the government and people of Abia State, extended his condolences to the family of the deceased and prayed for the peaceful repose of his soul.
According to the government, disturbing videos circulating on social media allegedly captured police officers physically assaulting Ibe before his death.
It alleged that one of the officers was seen repeatedly suffocating the victim with a polyethylene bag despite his cries for help.
The statement noted that although investigations into the circumstances surrounding the operation were still ongoing, the footage available portrayed what it described as a disturbing level of brutality that deserved widespread condemnation.
The Abia Government also expressed concern that the incident came shortly after reports emerged that another Nigerian, identified as Egwabor Patrick, was allegedly shot in South Africa and is currently receiving treatment for severe injuries.
It therefore aligned itself with the Federal Government’s demand for a thorough, transparent and independent investigation into Ibe’s death, insisting that all those responsible should be identified, arrested and prosecuted.
The government maintained that failure to ensure justice would amount to a further affront to Nigeria and the memory of Nigerians who had lost their lives under similar circumstances.
It also urged the South African authorities to take immediate steps to halt what it described as recurring attacks on Nigerians and to ensure those responsible for such acts were held accountable.
According to the statement, the repeated incidents of violence against Nigerians represent a disturbing trend that undermines the longstanding relationship between African nations.
Ekeoma further lamented that several Nigerians living in South Africa had, in recent years, been killed, assaulted or had their businesses destroyed during recurring xenophobic attacks and targeted violence.
He stressed that Nigerians residing abroad deserve to live and work in safety and dignity without fear of harassment or violent attacks.
