Nigerian Dies During Police Operation in South Africa, Probe Begins

South African authorities have commenced an investigation into the death of a Nigerian national who reportedly collapsed while being arrested during a police operation in Cape Town, triggering fresh concerns over the treatment of foreign nationals in the country.

The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID), the agency responsible for probing allegations of police misconduct, confirmed it had opened an inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the death of 42-year-old Ibeh Chika Simon.

Preliminary post-mortem findings released by the agency indicated that the deceased sustained multiple bruises and abrasions on his back and chest, although investigations are still ongoing to determine the exact cause of death.

The Western Cape Police Command said officers were carrying out a search operation at a residence in Cape Town, where they reportedly recovered an unlicensed firearm and suspected narcotics.

According to police spokesperson Colonel Andre Traut, Simon became ill and collapsed as officers attempted to place him under arrest.

He said emergency medical personnel were immediately summoned to the scene, but the Nigerian was pronounced dead shortly afterwards.

The incident has drawn condemnation from Nigerian officials, with the country’s Consul General in Johannesburg, Ambassador Ninikanwa Okey-Uche, calling for a thorough and transparent investigation.

She described the circumstances surrounding Simon’s death as disturbing, alleging that the case reflected “an alarming pattern of unresolved extrajudicial killings/deaths and unacceptable misconduct against foreign nationals.”

Okey-Uche stressed that criminal suspects, irrespective of nationality, are entitled to due process.

“Suspects are entitled to due process in a court of law; no authority should be above it,” she said.

The envoy also disclosed that another Nigerian, Egwabor Patrick Chuks, was reportedly shot during the same police operation and is receiving treatment for serious injuries. However, Western Cape Police said it had no record of such an incident.

Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs also expressed concern over the development. Ministry spokesperson Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa described the incident as “a very unfortunate situation” and said the government was monitoring the investigation.

South Africa’s Inter-Ministerial Committee on Migration confirmed that the matter was under investigation.

Its chairperson and Justice Minister, Mmamoloko Kubayi, said some foreign nationals resisted law enforcement officers during the operation in Cape Town last Thursday, but declined to comment further while investigations continued.

Simon is the second Nigerian whose death is being investigated following a police operation in South Africa in recent months.

In June, Nigerian authorities announced the death of Emeka Charles Iroegbu, who allegedly died during a separate encounter with South African police. That case also remains under investigation by the IPID.

The latest incident comes amid heightened diplomatic concerns over the safety of African migrants in South Africa. Nigeria and Ghana have repeatedly raised concerns over alleged xenophobic attacks and violence against their nationals, prompting ECOWAS leaders to urge South African authorities to strengthen the protection of foreign residents.

While the South African government has consistently rejected allegations of xenophobia, President Cyril Ramaphosa has previously condemned attacks on foreign nationals and urged citizens not to resort to vigilante actions or take the law into their own hands.