Update: Nigerians in South Africa were victims of police brutality – NICASA debunks reports alleging Nigerian nationals attacked cops and station

Nigerians Citizens in South Africa (NICASA) has debunked the viral report that Nigerian citizens in Kimberly, Northern Cape Province attacked some South African Police Service (SAPS) officers and station.

The South African Police Service on Friday, announced that eight Nigerian nationals were arrested for allegedly attacking cops, damaging a police station and vehicles in Kimberly, Northern Cape.

NICASA in a statement issued on Sunday, April 21, 2024, alleged that some Nigerians were victims of South African police brutality.

The statement which was signed by Rev. Frank Onyekwelu, President General, Dr Elizabeth Ojo-Fafore, Secretary General and Tony Okorie, Publicity Secretary, said the issue has been reported to the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) to carry out an independent and transparent investigation over the incident.

The statement also urged the South African Police to desist from ‘intimidation, high handedness and unprovoked harassment of Nigerians in the country.’’

“As law abiding citizens, we as an organization have also requested that SAPS should open an investigation on the matter, and desist from intimidation, high handedness and unprovoked harassment of Nigerians in the city,” the statement reads in part.

“It is important to note that we have also brought the matter to the attention of the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) to carry out an independent and transparent investigation over the incident.”

“This report by eNCA which is credited to SAPS is not correct and it is a misrepresentation of the fact and we reject it in its entirety,”

“The said Nigerians in the city about eight did not attack any SAPS officer nor did they damage property. This is not possible as they were inside the premises of SAPS.

“The Police had visited the business premises of a certain Nigerian with the sole objective of searching the premises,”

“Upon their visit to the premises, they met two other Nigerians in the business premises,”

“When the officers did not find any incriminating materials, the visit turned into a harassment and intimidation that led to the Nigerian being beaten. This is proven with the scars on the body of the victim

“The incident and the cries of the Nigerians attracted the intervention of other Nigerians who pleaded with the Police officers to take the Nigerians to the police station if they have committed any offence, rather than the beating

“Some Nigerians thereafter assembled at a location called Indian Centre to discuss the issues and how they intend to approach it

“While this discussion was going on, the same group of SAPS officers approached them and demanded for their leader

“Upon identifying himself, the Police officers arrested him and this led to other Nigerians verbally protesting against his arrest and requested that he be released since he has committed no offence

“The Police rather responded by shooting rubber bullets to dispersed the Nigerians that had gathered there, and also arrested some,”

“The situation became more rowdy, and as some people were trying to escape, the hand of one individual mistakenly broke a window, and became injured. It is important to note that he was also arrested and had been denied any medical attention with splinters of glass still in his hand.”

The leadership of the Nigerians in South Africa therefore stated that “At no time was any substance found on any Nigeria during the duration of this incident.