The Federal Government has begun investigation into the latest murder of a Nigerian, Chikamso Ufordi, in South Africa.
Ufordi was shot dead on Friday around Nigel area of Johannesburg, South Africa, while two other Nigerians with him were injured in the attack.
The Consul General of Nigeria in Johannesburg, Mr Godwin Adama, made this known on Tuesday while confirming the murder.
He however said the government was not in a hurry to conclude that it was a xenophobic attack as he described the crime rate in South Africa as very high.
Reacting to the development on telephone on Tuesday, in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, Adama explained that 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.
Mr Ben Okoli, President of Nigerian Citizens Association in South Africa, NICASA, also confirmed the death in a telephone interview with NAN on Tuesday in Abuja.
“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 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 are 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.
