The Nigerian Citizens Association South Africa (NICASA) has said Mr Chika Ibe, has allegedly been killed by members of the South African Police Service (SAPS) on Thursday at Parksig Villas Complex, Bellville, Cape Town.
Tripod Times reports that NICASA, which strongly condemned the alleged brutal killing, informed that Mr Chika Ibe, hailed from Lokpaukwu, Abia State, Nigeria, and reportedly died after being subjected to severe beating, torture, inhuman treatment, ad well as alleged suffocation during a police operation.
The Nigerian association has, however, called on the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) and the South African Police Service to, as a matter of urgency institute an independent, transparent, and comprehensive investigation into the incident.
According to President of NICASA, Rev. Frank Onyekwelu, “these allegations are deeply disturbing and, if confirmed, constitute a gross violation of human rights and the rule of law.”
“While we share the grief and outrage of the Nigerian community, we urge all Nigerians across South Africa to remain calm, peaceful, and law-abiding.
“Every officer found responsible must be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. There can be no justification for torture, excessive force, or the unlawful taking of human life.
“We strongly discourage any form of retaliation or unlawful conduct and encourage everyone to allow justice to take its course through the appropriate legal channels,” the association said.
NICASA has also pledged to work closely with the Nigerian government and its diplomatic missions to ensure that the case is pursued to a logical conclusion and justice served.
“We will closely monitor the investigation and insist on transparency, accountability, and timely prosecution of all those responsible.”
Tripod Times could not get a confirmation from the spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa, as at the time of filing this report as his line could not be reached.
