By FORTUNE ABANG

The Nigerian Citizens Association in South Africa (NICASA) has described the alleged recent killing of Mr Nicholas John, a Nigerian in that country, as highly regrettable and one death too many.

The President-General of NICASA, Mr Benjamin Okoli, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Abuja that meeting between Nigerian and South African authorities was ongoing to unravel the true cause of John’s death.

According to him, NICASA’s leadership in Northern Cape province had a meeting with the Police station Commander on this matter.

“The death of our national is highly regrettable, we consider it one death too many; South Africans have resorted to taking the laws into their hands, which is unlawful and must be stopped by the authorities.

“The attack on foreigners, particularly Nigerians, is driven by xenophobia and self hate. We find no other words to describe it rather than what it is.

“John is a responsible Nigerian, who does not get involved in crime. A South African known to the deceased sold a laptop to him and John is not aware the laptop was stolen.

“When the owner came with the guy who sold it to John, arguments ensued after which our late brother agreed to pay the worth of the laptop.

“They attacked him and beat him until he lost consciousness, one other Nigerian was also attacked, but managed to survive the attack.”

He disclosed that John spent one week in state of unconsciousness from Tuesday to Feb. 8, when the incident occurred until his unfortunate death on Feb. 14.

He explined that the association had officially informed both the Nigerian High Commissioner, Amb. Manta and the Consul General, Mr Abdukmalik Ahmed, about the ugly development.

“A case of murder and attempted murder has been opened, we will follow it up until the perpetrators are arrested and made to account for their crimes.

“Our leadership is on ground in Kimberly Northern Cape province and has advised Nigerians to be of good conduct, and behaviour and not engage in criminality. The family and friends of late John are highly traumatised over this dastardly act.

“We appeal to the South African authorities to scale up action to stop the unwarranted xenophobia attacks against Nigerians in the country.

“A civil matter that ordinarily should be settled or taken to the Police for prosecution was allowed to degerate and has led to the death of a family man, known for good behaviour and good conduct,” Okoli said. (NAN)

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