Nigerian Union Demands Probe Into Killing of 40-Year-Old In South Africa
By FRANKLIN FRANCIS FREY
THE Nigerian Union in South Africa (NUSA) has called for a thorough investigation into the reported killing of a 40-year-old Nigerian, Olatunde Olaleye, in Pretoria, South Africa.
Olaleye, an indigene of Ikere-Ekiti, Ekiti State, was reportedly shot dead on 21 September while working at Spanata Bar and Grills in Mamelodi, Pretoria.
NUSA President-General, Smart Nwobi, disclosed the incident in a statement, expressing concern over the circumstances surrounding the Nigerian’s death.
According to Nwobi, Olaleye was a husband and father of two children. He said the incident had left the deceased’s family and members of the Nigerian community in South Africa deeply distressed.
The union said preliminary reports indicated that Olaleye was allegedly shot by a South African national following an argument over whether a drinking glass should be taken outside the bar.
Nwobi, however, stressed the need for authorities to establish the facts through an impartial investigation rather than relying on unverified accounts.
He also said there were reports that the alleged suspect later returned to the premises and threatened the management, claiming that members of his group would come back.
Against this backdrop, NUSA urged South African authorities to investigate the circumstances surrounding the shooting and ensure that anyone found responsible faces the law.
“We call for a thorough, transparent and impartial investigation into the circumstances surrounding Olaleye’s death and for the law to take its proper course,” Nwobi said.
Call for diplomatic intervention
The Nigerian union also appealed to the Nigerian diplomatic mission in South Africa to intensify engagement with the South African authorities over the incident.
Nwobi specifically called on the Nigerian Consulate-General and the High Commission in Pretoria to explore available diplomatic channels to ensure that the matter receives appropriate attention.
He said stronger diplomatic engagement was necessary not only to seek justice in Olaleye’s case but also to reinforce mechanisms for protecting Nigerians living and working in South Africa.
The latest incident has again drawn attention to concerns surrounding the safety of Nigerians in the country. However, NUSA’s call for an investigation underscores the importance of establishing the facts of individual cases before drawing broader conclusions.
For Olaleye’s family, the immediate concern remains the loss of a husband and father. Nwobi expressed solidarity with his wife, two children and the wider Nigerian community.
“We cannot continue to lose Nigerians under circumstances that leave families devastated and communities traumatised,” he said.
NUSA subsequently reiterated its demand for justice and urged the relevant authorities to ensure that the circumstances surrounding the death are fully established.
The union’s position places emphasis on accountability, due process and diplomatic engagement as authorities work to determine what led to the fatal shooting.
