The Nigerian community in South Africa is in mourning.

A Nigerian cleric, Bishop Taiwo Michael Fakunle, was shot dead at his residence in Kensington, Johannesburg on Thursday night. He was from Ekiti State.

The killing has sparked fresh calls for protection of Nigerians in the diaspora and renewed questions about safety for foreign nationals living in South Africa.

What Happened In Kensington

According to the Nigerian Citizens Association, South Africa – NICASA, the attack happened at Bishop Fakunle’s home.

The National President of NICASA, Rev. Frank Onyekwelu, disclosed this in a statement on Friday.

“According to the information available to NICASA, two suspects gained access to his residence and opened fire on him, reportedly discharging more than seven bullets,” Onyekwelu said.

The bishop did not survive.

“This was not merely an ordinary loss of life; it was a horrific and senseless act of violence that has robbed a family of a loved one and the Nigerian community of another precious life,” he added.

Kensington is a suburb east of Johannesburg CBD. It is home to many immigrants, including a sizable Nigerian population.

Police are yet to release the full details of how the assailants gained entry.

NICASA’s Response And Diplomatic Steps

NICASA said it has taken immediate steps following the incident.

Onyekwelu confirmed that the association has formally notified the Consulate General of Nigeria in Johannesburg.

A murder case has also been opened at the Jeppe Police Station, which has jurisdiction over Kensington.

The NICASA President is now urging both the South African Police Service, SAPS, and Nigerian diplomatic representatives to move fast.

“We urge the South African Police Service and Nigerian diplomatic representatives to ensure that a comprehensive probe is carried out to bring those responsible to justice,” Onyekwelu stated.

As of Friday evening, SAPS had not released an official statement on the murder. No arrests have been announced.

Who Was Bishop Taiwo Michael Fakunle?

Bishop Fakunle hailed from Ekiti State in Southwest Nigeria.

While full details about his ministry are still being compiled by NICASA, community members described him as a respected cleric who served Nigerians in Johannesburg.

Sources within the Nigerian community say he was known for his outreach work and for supporting new migrants trying to settle in South Africa.

His death leaves behind a family, a congregation, and a community asking why.

A Pattern Of Violence Against Nigerians In SA

This is not the first time a Nigerian has been killed violently in South Africa.

Over the last decade, hundreds of Nigerians have died in South Africa due to crime, xenophobic attacks, and targeted violence.

In 2019, the killings led to diplomatic tension between Abuja and Pretoria, and to reprisal attacks on South African businesses in Nigeria.

NICASA has consistently raised concerns about the safety of Nigerians, citing robbery, assassination-style killings, and police harassment.

Human rights groups argue that foreign nationals are often targeted because they are perceived to run successful businesses, or because they are less likely to report crimes due to fear of immigration issues.

The murder of a cleric in his own home has heightened those fears.

Reactions From The Nigerian Community

News of Bishop Fakunle’s death spread quickly across Nigerian WhatsApp groups and church networks in Gauteng on Friday.

Many described it as “devastating” and “painful.”

One community leader in Johannesburg who asked not to be named told me:
“We are tired. A man of God killed in his house. If a bishop is not safe, who is safe? We are calling on both governments to act.”

Another Nigerian pastor said churches in the area will hold a vigil for Bishop Fakunle this weekend.

On social media, the hashtag `JusticeForBishopFakunle` began trending among Nigerians in the diaspora.

What The Law Says

Murder in South Africa carries a minimum sentence of 15 years to life imprisonment, depending on circumstances.

The case is now with detectives at Jeppe SAPS. They will be expected to investigate motive, collect forensic evidence, and trace the two suspects described by NICASA.

Police have not said if robbery was the motive, or if this was a targeted attack.

The fact that “more than seven bullets” were fired suggests it may have been more than a random burglary.

Nigeria’s Diplomatic Role

The Nigerian Consulate General in Johannesburg is expected to liaise with SAPS and the family.

In previous cases, the Nigerian government has sent diplomatic notes to South Africa demanding faster investigations and better protection for citizens.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Abuja has not yet commented as of the time of filing this report.

Given the bishop’s status, pressure will likely mount for consular officials to attend court proceedings and ensure the family receives support.

The Bigger Question: Safety For Migrants

Bishop Fakunle’s death again puts the spotlight on the safety of African migrants in South Africa.

South Africa has the largest economy on the continent and attracts millions of migrants seeking jobs and business opportunities. Nigerians form one of the largest groups.

But they also face unique risks: violent crime, documentation challenges, and at times, xenophobia.

Community groups like NICASA have been asking for:
1. Faster police response in areas with high immigrant populations
2. Dedicated liaison officers between SAPS and foreign communities
3. Protection for business owners and religious leaders who are often targeted

Whether this case will lead to concrete policy changes remains to be seen.

What Happens Next

1. Investigation: Jeppe Police are expected to begin door-to-door inquiries in Kensington and check CCTV footage.
2. Autopsy: The body will undergo a post-mortem to confirm cause of death.
3. Consular Support: Nigerian diplomats will assist with repatriation if the family requests it, and monitor the court case.
4. Community Vigil: NICASA and local churches are planning memorial services.

Rev. Onyekwelu said NICASA will “not rest until justice is served.”

Bishop Taiwo Michael Fakunle left Nigeria to serve and to build a life. He ended up losing that life in a hail of bullets in his own home.

More than seven shots. A family shattered. A community grieving.

For Nigerians in South Africa, this is another reminder that safety is not guaranteed. For South Africa, it’s another test of its promise to protect everyone within its borders, regardless of nationality.

As the investigation begins, one demand is clear from NICASA and from Nigerians everywhere: find the killers, prosecute them, and ensure this does not happen again.

“Let it not be in vain,” Onyekwelu said. “Let justice be done.”

SOURCE: https://dailypost.ng/2026/09/11/nigerian-bishop-shot-dead-in-south-africa/

The Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa, has said the vast size and difficult terrain of the Sambisa Forest are among the factors making it challenging for security forces to quickly locate and rescue people abducted by terrorists.

Musa, a retired general, said security agencies had rescued many abducted Nigerians as part of ongoing operations against terrorism and kidnapping, but the ability of terrorists to retreat into large forested areas often complicates rescue efforts.

The minister spoke during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today, where he discussed the Federal Government’s efforts to tackle terrorism, kidnapping and other security threats across the country.

Musa said security forces were making progress in rescuing victims despite the difficult operating environment.

“Few ones now, efforts have been made. If you notice, on a daily basis now, we are really getting, rescuing a lot of them,” he said.

The minister said the scale of the Sambisa Forest should not be underestimated, noting that its size creates significant operational challenges for security agencies.

“So this government is overwhelmed. Sambisa Forest is as big as Belgium, as a country. So when people talk about this, they make it look as if it is one small football field and we are refusing to do anything,” Musa said.

He explained that the combination of the forest’s vast expanse, difficult terrain and the ability of terrorists to move quickly gives them an advantage after carrying out attacks or abductions.

According to him, abductors can disappear into remote areas before security agencies receive information about an incident, making it difficult for troops to immediately determine where the victims have been taken.

“These places are massive areas. The forest within Kwara comes in from Burkina Faso to Benin Republic into Nigeria and flows through all these things,” he said.

Musa added that terrorists often exploit the time between an abduction and the arrival of information to security agencies to gain distance from the scene.

“So what they do is that once these abductions are done, before the information gets to anybody, these guys are already into the forest,” he said.

The minister said security forces sometimes have to focus on cutting off escape routes and restricting the movement of abductors before attempting to reach the victims.

He cited a recent operation in Kwara State in which security forces reportedly rescued abducted persons after limiting the routes available to their captors.

“And then the last one that was done in Kwara State, we had to quarantine where they were going, deny them oxygen, and that’s where we were able to get them,” Musa said.

He explained that increased pressure from troops could also force terrorists to abandon their captives, creating an opportunity for security forces to rescue them.

Beyond military operations, Musa said authorities were also paying attention to the financial networks supporting criminal activities.

He said ransom payments could provide useful information for security agencies investigating kidnapping networks, adding that financial transactions linked to criminal activities were being monitored.

According to the minister, the Central Bank of Nigeria is also involved in efforts to identify suspicious financial activities associated with criminal operations.

Musa further urged state governors to exercise caution when distributing motorcycles as palliatives to residents.

He warned that motorcycles distributed without adequate safeguards could potentially fall into the hands of terrorists and criminal groups, providing them with an easier means of movement across difficult terrain.

The minister maintained that Nigeria’s extensive forests and challenging terrain presented serious obstacles in the fight against terrorism and kidnapping, but insisted that security agencies were making progress.

His comments have, however, sparked debate, particularly over his comparison of the Sambisa Forest with Belgium and his description of the security situation as overwhelming.

Some Nigerians have questioned whether the size of the forest should be cited as a major explanation for difficulties in rescuing abducted persons, while others have argued that the country’s security agencies face genuine operational challenges in vast and difficult-to-access areas.

The debate comes amid continued concerns over terrorism and kidnapping in parts of Nigeria, with security agencies under pressure to improve intelligence gathering, rapid response and the protection of vulnerable communities.

Musa’s remarks have therefore renewed discussions about the need for stronger intelligence networks, faster communication between communities and security agencies, improved surveillance capabilities and sustained military operations in areas used as hideouts by criminal and terrorist groups.

While the government continues to pursue military and financial measures against the groups, the minister’s comments underscore the complexity of securing Nigeria’s remote forests and border areas, particularly where criminal groups can exploit difficult terrain to evade security forces.