A 50-year-old Nigerian man, Jeremiah Okoye, has died in police custody in Limpopo, South Africa.
Okoye, who had lived in the country for 22 years, resided at 71 Magazyn Street, Polokwane, Limpopo Province, before his death.
The news was confirmed on Friday by Frank Onyekwelu, President of the Nigerian Citizens Association, South Africa (NICASA), who condemned the incident. Onyekwelu expressed concern over the ongoing issue of police brutality against Nigerians in South Africa, urging authorities to respect the rule of law.
“An investigation is currently underway to determine the circumstances surrounding his untimely death,” Onyekwelu stated. “We urge the police to adhere to the rule of law in carrying out their duties.”
The NICASA president also confirmed that Nigeria’s High Commission and Consulate had been notified of Okoye’s death.
The statement continued, “We hope this tragedy does not become just another statistic. The deaths of Nigerians in South Africa, especially in police custody, have become a troubling pattern that must be addressed. If left unchecked, these incidents could escalate into a more dangerous trend.”
Okoye hailed from Eziniffite Nnewi in Anambra State, Nigeria.
