Another Nigerian, Benjamin Okoli, Dies in South African Police Custody

Outrage as Benjamin Okoli, a Nigerian national, dies in South African police custody, raising fresh concerns over alleged police brutality.

The Nigerian Citizens Association in South Africa (NICASA) has denounced the death of Benjamin Okoli, a 40-year-old Nigerian who reportedly passed away while in police custody.

The tragic death of Okoli occurred less than a month after NICASA condemned the alleged killing of another Nigerian, 50-year-old Jeremiah Okoye, who died in police custody on January 13.

In a conversation with journalists, Dr. Frank Onyekwelu, the President-General of NICASA, referred to the ongoing deaths of Nigerians in South Africa as “unbearable.”

According to Onyekwelu, the Nigerian community in South Africa is grieving once more due to another death occurring while in police custody. Okoli, a native of Akpu in Orumba South, Anambra, was stopped and searched before being taken with his brother to their home for further investigation.

He claimed that even though the officers found nothing incriminating, they tortured, beat, and brutalized the two brothers. Okoli allegedly fell into a coma as a result of the severe assault while his brother’s desperate efforts to revive him were unsuccessful.

“The police stood aside and observed as Okoli’s life ebbed away. Paramedics arrived later and declared him dead,” Onyekwelu mentioned.

NICASA expressed additional concern that Okoli’s death took place while investigations were still underway regarding the death of Okoye, who allegedly died at the hands of the same police unit.

Onyekwelu stated, “This is the same group of officers accused of killing Okoye. Now, two Nigerians have died in police custody within less than a month.”

Leaders of NICASA in Limpopo Province express deep concern over what they perceive as a troubling trend of Nigerian nationals being targeted.

Onyekwelu urged the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) to ensure that the officers responsible for these horrific deaths are held accountable.

The association has notified the Nigerian Missions in Pretoria and Johannesburg about the incident and is advocating for diplomatic intervention to prevent any further killings.

Onyekwelu urged our citizens to stay calm, follow the law, and carry on with their daily activities in a peaceful manner.