South African police killed Nigerian Ibeh Simon during arrest — Envoy

Nigeria’s Consul-General in Johannesburg, Ninikanwa Okey-Uche, has accused South African police of using tactics that led to the death of Nigerian national Ibeh Chika Simon during an arrest operation in Cape Town.

Simon, 42, collapsed and died last Thursday while officers were attempting to place him under arrest.

Preliminary post-mortem findings revealed that he sustained multiple bruises and abrasions on his chest and back.

Okey-Uche said Nigeria was “deeply appalled by reports of the egregious police tactics that led to his death.”

She demanded a transparent investigation, warning of what she described as an alarming pattern of unresolved extrajudicial killings, deaths and police misconduct against foreign nationals in South Africa.

“Suspects are entitled to due process in a court of law; no authority should be above it,” the envoy said.

South Africa’s Independent Police Investigative Directorate has opened an investigation into the circumstances surrounding Simon’s death.

Western Cape police claimed Simon became unwell and collapsed while officers were trying to arrest him.

Police spokesperson Col Andre Traut said officers were searching a house when they allegedly discovered an unlicensed firearm and substances suspected to be drugs.

According to Traut, paramedics were called after Simon collapsed, but he was declared dead at the scene.

The Nigerian envoy also disclosed that another Nigerian, Egwabor Patrick Chuks, was allegedly shot during the same police operation.

Chuks was reportedly taken to hospital with serious injuries.

Western Cape police, however, said they had no record of the alleged shooting.

Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs described Simon’s death as “a very unfortunate situation.”

Ministry spokesperson Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa said Nigerian authorities were following developments surrounding the case.

South Africa’s Inter-Ministerial Committee on Migration also confirmed that Simon’s death was under investigation.

Justice Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi, who chairs the committee, claimed that some foreign nationals resisted law enforcement officers during the operation.

Simon’s death comes amid renewed concern over the treatment of Nigerians and other foreign nationals by South African security operatives.

Another Nigerian, Emeka Charles Iroegbu, reportedly died during a South African police operation in June.

The Independent Police Investigative Directorate is also investigating Iroegbu’s death.