Nigerian Father of Two Shot Dead at Bar in South Africa

A 40-year-old Nigerian man, Olatunde Olaleye, has been shot dead while working at a bar in Mamelodi, Pretoria, South Africa, the Nigerian Union in South Africa (NUSA) has disclosed.

Olaleye, an indigene of Ikere-Ekiti, Ekiti State, was reportedly killed on September 21 at Spanata Bar and Grills, where he was working. He was married and had two children.

NUSA President-General, Smart Nwobi, said the circumstances surrounding the killing were concerning, following reports that Olaleye was allegedly shot by a South African national after an argument over whether a drinking glass could be taken outside the bar.

Nwobi further said the suspect allegedly returned to the premises after the shooting and threatened the management, reportedly warning that members of his group would come back.

The NUSA leader described Olaleye’s death as a devastating loss to his family and the Nigerian community, while calling for a thorough, transparent and impartial investigation to establish the circumstances surrounding the killing.

“We cannot continue to lose Nigerians under circumstances that leave families devastated and communities traumatised,” Nwobi said.

He urged the Nigerian diplomatic mission in South Africa, including the Consulate-General and the High Commission in Pretoria, to intensify engagement with South African authorities and use available diplomatic channels to seek justice for the deceased.

Nwobi also called for stronger measures to protect Nigerians living and working in South Africa, while expressing sympathy to Olaleye’s wife, children and other members of the Nigerian community.

Olaleye’s death comes amid renewed concerns over the safety of Nigerians in South Africa. Earlier in September, Nigeria’s Foreign Ministry confirmed the deaths of Bishop Taiwo Michael Fakunle and James Uchechukwu Nwankwo in separate incidents and demanded investigations into their deaths.