Senior Special Assistant to the President on Foreign Affairs and Diaspora, Abike Dabiri-Erewa has condemned the latest extrajudicial killing of another Nigerian, Ibrahim Badmus, allegedly by South African Police, the third in a month.
Dabiri-Erewa in Abuja said the latest incident was gradually eroding the confidence of Nigerians in South Africa. She expressed worry about the determination and ability of the South African authorities to put a stop to further and deliberate killings of Nigerians in South Africa.
According to her the Nigeria Consulate in South Africa said the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) in South Africa has begun an investigation into the killing.
This is the first time an independent unit will be conducting such an investigation,” she said
The Presidential aide called on the South African authorities to ensure that the investigation is thorough and justice is done in the interest of the cordial relationship between the two countries.
Dabiri-Erewa commended the efforts of the Consulate General, Godwin Adama, who immediately led a team to visit the scene of the incident and interfaced with angry Nigerians to douse tension.
She said Adama also had a useful meeting with the South African Police authorities, with an assurance that the IPID which has started collating materials on the incident, the investigation will be thorough and conclusive.
”The killing of Badmus, 25, is coming barely three weeks that another Nigerian, Kingsley Ikeri, 27, was killed through extra-judicial means by the South Africa Police,” she said.
Meanwhile, South Africa’s President Jacob Zuma was on Friday evening conferred with a chieftaincy title in Owerri, Imo State.
Zuma was given the traditional title of “Ochiagha Imo” by Eze Imo.
The chieftaincy title certificate was presented to him by former President of Nigeria, Olusegun Obasanjo.
The conferment of chieftaincy title on the South African president is part of the activities scheduled for his two-day visit to the country, following a State visit to Zambia.
Governor of the state, Rochas Okorocha revealed earlier that Zuma would also be signing a Memorandum of Understanding between Rochas Okorocha Foundation and Zuma Foundation during the visit.
Also, the South African president would be expected to assess the planned over 20,000-hectare, Egbema Industrial Park estimated to cost over N2 billion and the Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport.
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