Nigerian Dies During Police Arrest in South Africa, Investigation Begins

South African authorities have launched an investigation into the death of a Nigerian man, Ibeh Chika Simon, who collapsed while being arrested by police during an operation in Cape Town.

The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID), which oversees police conduct, said preliminary post-mortem findings showed that the 42-year-old sustained multiple bruises and abrasions on his back and chest.

According to the Western Cape Police, Simon became unwell and collapsed while officers were attempting to arrest him.

In a statement, the police said he “became unwell and collapsed” while being placed under arrest. Paramedics were called to the scene, but he was pronounced dead.

Police spokesperson Col. Andre Traut said officers were executing a search at a residence in Cape Town when they recovered an unlicensed firearm and suspected drugs before moving to arrest Simon.

The incident has drawn condemnation from Nigerian officials.

Nigeria’s Consul General in Johannesburg, Ninikanwa Okey-Uche, described the circumstances surrounding Simon’s death as disturbing and called for a transparent investigation.

She alleged there was an “alarming pattern of unresolved extrajudicial killings and unacceptable misconduct against foreign nationals” in South Africa, stressing that every suspect is entitled to due process.

“No authority should be above the law,” she said.

Okey-Uche also claimed that another Nigerian, Egwabor Patrick Chuks, was shot during the same police operation and remains hospitalised with serious injuries. However, Western Cape Police said they had no record of such an incident.

Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs also expressed concern over Simon’s death.

The ministry’s spokesperson, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, described the incident as “a very unfortunate situation” and said Nigerian authorities were closely monitoring the investigation.

IPID confirmed it had opened an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death, while South Africa’s Inter-Ministerial Committee on Migration also said the matter was under review.

Justice Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi, who chairs the committee, said some foreign nationals resisted law enforcement officers during the operation in Cape Town.

Simon is the second Nigerian whose death is being investigated following a police operation in South Africa in recent months.

In June, Nigerian authorities reported the death of Emeka Charles Iroegbu, who also allegedly died during a police operation. That case remains under investigation by IPID.

The latest incident comes amid heightened diplomatic tensions over the treatment of African migrants in South Africa.

Nigeria and Ghana have recently raised concerns over reported xenophobic attacks on their citizens, prompting the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to call on South African authorities to ensure the protection of foreign nationals.

The South African government has repeatedly denied promoting xenophobia, insisting it rejects racism, discrimination and intolerance in all forms, while President Cyril Ramaphosa has urged citizens not to resort to violence or take the law into their own hands.