Abia govt condemns killing of indigene in South Africa, demands federal government’s action

The Abia State Government has expressed outrage over the brutal killing of a Nigerian citizen, Mr Chika Ibe in South Africa.

According to the state government, the late Chika Ibe, an indigene of Lokpaukwu, Umunneochi LGA Abia, died after being assaulted by members of the South African Police Service in Cape Town on Wednesday, July 23, 2026.

A statement signed by Ferdinand Ekeoma, the Special Adviser to Governor Alex Otti on Media and Publicity on Tuesday, condemned the video circulating online, where Police officers were seen assaulting Mr Ibe, leading to his death.

The government said it is particularly pained seeing a Police officers allegedly using a polyethylene bag to repeatedly suffocate the late Ibe, until he died.

The State government, while describing the assault on the Nigerian citizen as pure cruelty, urged the federal government to demand immediate answers from the South African government.

The statement read, “In one of the videos, Mr Ibe was heard shouting loudly “I’m dying” yet, the Police Officers remained unperturbed until he stopped breathing.

“This incident comes on the heels of reports that another Nigerian, Mr Egwabor Patrick Chuks, was also shot and is currently receiving treatment for severe injuries.

“We therefore State 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,” the Abia State government said.