South African police investigators have opened a probe into the death of a Nigerian man who fell ill during an arrest operation in Cape Town. The case has sparked fresh concerns about how foreign nationals are treated when detained by law enforcement officers in the country.
The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID), which oversees police conduct, revealed that preliminary post-mortem results showed 42-year-old Ibeh Chika Simon had "sustained multiple bruises and abrasions on his back and chest." Western Cape police said Simon became unwell and collapsed as officers moved to detain him during a search operation at a residence.
According to the police account, officers discovered an unlicensed firearm and suspected drugs during the raid. When they attempted to arrest Simon, he "collapsed," paramedics were summoned to the scene, and he was pronounced dead.
Nigeria's Consul General in Johannesburg, Ninikanwa Okey-Uche, condemned the circumstances of his death. She told reporters that Nigeria was "deeply appalled by reports of the egregious police tactics that led to his death."
Okey-Uche demanded a "transparent" inquiry and raised alarm over what she described as "an alarming pattern of unresolved extrajudicial killings/deaths and unacceptable misconduct against foreign nationals." She stressed that "suspects are entitled to due process in a court of law; no authority should be above it."
The diplomat also reported that another Nigerian, Egwabor Patrick Chuks, was shot during the same police operation and remains hospitalized with serious injuries. Western Cape police denied this claim, saying they had "no record of the incident."
Nigeria's foreign ministry also voiced concern. Speaking to the BBC, spokesperson Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa described the incident as "a very unfortunate situation."
Justice Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi, who chairs South Africa's Inter-Ministerial Committee on Migration, acknowledged the investigation during a public briefing. She noted that during last Thursday's police operation in Cape Town, "some foreign nationals…were resisting law enforcement operations."
This is the second Nigerian whose death has triggered an IPID investigation following police action in recent months. In June, Nigeria's foreign ministry reported the death of Emeka Charles Iroegbu, allegedly killed during a police operation, with that case also now under investigation.
The incident reflects mounting diplomatic strain between South Africa and West African nations over accusations that African migrants, particularly Nigerians, face xenophobic violence. Relations have also deteriorated between South Africa and Ghana following claims that a Ghanaian national was killed during anti-migrant unrest, allegations South African authorities have rejected.
