The Consul General of Nigeria in
Johannesburg, Mr Godwin Adama, has confirmed the murder of another Nigerian, Mr.
Chikamso Ufordi, in South Africa.
The deceased was allegedly shot dead by unknown assailants in a suspected love
affair tangle.
Reacting to the development on the telephone on Tuesday, Adama, however, said
he was yet to get the full report.
According to him, although the incident is
highly condemnable, incidences like that are common in South Africa with one of
the highest crime rates in the world.
“Murder statistics in South Africa indicate that over 50 people are violently
murdered in a day, about 20,330 in a year.
“We are, however, investigating and equally following up police investigations on the matter to see the motive behind the attack.
“We are however not in a hurry to conclude
that it was xenophobic or criminal,” Adama said.
He promised that the Consulate would partner the South African authorities to
arrange a meeting with the locals, Nigerians, the police authority, to further
adopt ways of preventing any form of xenophobic attacks in the future.
He further appealed to Nigerians resident in
that country to operate within the confines of the law and not to engage in
activities that would compromise their security.
The President of Nigerian Citizens Association in South Africa (NICASA), Mr.
Ben Okoli, also confirmed the death in a telephone interview with NAN on
Tuesday in Abuja.
He said Ufordi died on the spot while his companion in his car sustained
gunshots injuries.
Okoli, who explained that the incident happened on Friday night (Oct. 25) around Nigel Area of Johannesburg, South Africa, added that the assailants shot at Ofordi who was driving his car with two other Nigerians.
“We got the information of the attack early
the next morning and we swung into action to ascertain the true situation.
“It was alleged that Ufordi was involved in a love affair with a local girl.
“He had received warning several times to
stop the relationship with the girl by her former local boyfriend.“Some
Nigerian friends had also advised him to stay away and stop the relationship.
“He, however, continued the relationship until his untimely death by assassins;
the identities of the killers are yet to be confirmed,” Okoli said.
According to him, the local Police in the area is already investigating the
matter as soon as a case of murder and attempted murder was filed.
He said that the association was in touch
with the Investigating Police Officer and would follow through with the case to
ensure that the culprits were brought to justice.
He, however, advised Nigerians within Nigel community to remain vigilant and
watchful of their environment.
- NAN