By Suleiman Anyalewechi
The Abia State Government, on Tuesday, July 28, 2026, called for a swift and transparent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the unfortunate death of Chika Ibe, a Nigerian national from Abia State at the hands of South African security agencies.
Ibe, who hailed from Lokpaukwu, in Umunneochi Local Council of Abia State was killed by South African Police operatives on Wednesday, July 23, 2026.
According to a statement from Ferdinand Ekeoma, Special Adviser to Governor Alex Otti on Media, disturbing videos circulating online showed police officers assaulting Ibe, with one of them allegedly using a polyethylene bag to suffocate him to death.
The Government emphasized that while the circumstances surrounding the unfortunate incident are still under investigation, it however insisted that footages from circulating video indicated a high level of cruelty that is condemnable in the strongest terms.
” In one of the videos ,Mr Ibe was heard shouting loudly “I am dying” yet ,the police officers remained unperturbed, until he stopped breathing”, Ekeoma stated.
According to the statement, the recent incident involving Ibe came just on the heels of the reported shooting of another Nigerian, Egwabor Patrick Chuks by the same South African security operatives.
Citizen Chuks, according to the Abia State Government, is currently battling for his life owing to the serious gunshot injuries sustained.
“The Abia state Government joins the Federal Government in condemning this dastardly act . We recall with pain that in recent times, many Nigerians have either been killed, assaulted, or had their businesses looted in a wave of xenophobic attacks and targeted violence carried out by some South Africans.
“Nigerians in the diaspora deserve to live with dignity and safety, not in fear. We, therefore, demand as follows:
” That the demands by the Federal Government of Nigeria for immediate answers from the South African Government through a swift, transparent and independent investigation into the killing be done quickly.
” That the perpetrators of this heinous act must be identified, arrested and prosecuted to the full extent of the law. Anything short of justice will be a further insult to Nigeria and to the memory of this Abian and other Nigerians that had died in similar circumstances.
” That the Government of South Africa should immediately bring this carnage to a halt by genuinely calling its citizens to order.
“These attacks are a very sad commentary on Africans who are supposed to live as brothers and sisters”, the Abia State Government stated.
This is as the State Government, extended heartfelt condolences to the family , relations, and friends of the deceased.
The Source reports that over 98 Nigerians are believed to have been killed in similar controversial and dastardly circumstances in the last couple of years following the steady rise in xenophobic attacks targeting Nigerians and other African immigrants in South Africa.
Only recently, the Nigerian Government, as well as other African authorities were forced to repatriate several thousands of their citizens who had been victims of sustained violent attacks from South African citizens, while their security agencies cheered on.
Discover more from The Source
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
