ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — Two Nigerian nationals have been killed in South Africa, Nigeria's Foreign Ministry said, as tensions run high between the two countries over anti-immigrant protests.
The ministry said one of the victims, James Uchechukwu Nwankwo, was killed after “gruesome interrogation techniques” by South African police officers in Cape Town, on Sept. 5.
The statement did not identify any suspects or provide a possible motive in the death of Taiwo Michael Fakunle, a bishop, who was killed at his residence in Kensington, Johannesburg, on Sep. 4.
South African police did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The killings “raise questions about the safety of foreigners in the country and the commitment of the South African authorities to curbing targeted attacks against foreigners," Foreign Ministry spokesman Oluwafemi Adeniyi said in the statement.
He accused South African police of “exacerbating an already fragile situation.”
South Africa has for years attracted foreign nationals from across the continent, including many from Nigeria, because of its relative wealth and opportunity. But foreigners have also experienced sporadic outbursts of xenophobic violence. Protesters in the southern African country blame foreigners for high levels of unemployment, crime and pressure on public services.
The violent protests have forced thousands of migrants to leave and caused diplomatic tensions with other African nations.
On Friday, Nigeria’s parliament indefinitely suspended official visits and engagements with South Africa.
In June, two Nigerians were killed during anti-migrant violence, just two days before an unofficial deadline set by protesters for foreigners to leave. Nigeria said one was allegedly killed by police officers and the other by unidentified attackers.
Nigeria’s minister of state for foreign affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye said in July that at least 98 Nigerians have been killed since 2022 in mob attacks, hate-related violence and extrajudicial killings.
FILE - Protesters march against illegal immigration, in Johannesburg, South Africa, on June 30, 2026. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe, file)
DEN BOSCH, Netherlands (AP) — Team Europe finally took down the record-setting U.S. partnership of Nelly Korda and Allisen Corpuz at the Solheim Cup on Saturday on the way to winning the morning foursomes and building a 7-5 lead after three sessions.
The top-ranked Korda and Corpuz had won their first five matches as a team dating to 2023 — an unprecedented feat in the Solheim Cup — but were beaten, 3 and 2, by Swedish pair Maja Stark and Linn Grant in the lead match at Bernardus Golf early on Day 2.
The Europeans got another point from Mimi Rhodes and Nastasia Nadaud, who became the first rookie duo to win two matches at a single Solheim Cup, before Leona Maguire and Esther Henseleit rallied to beat Jennifer Kupcho and Rose Zhang, 1 up, in the final match of the session and the only one that went to No. 18.
The only negative on a big morning for Europe was another setback for its star English pairing of Charley Hull and Lottie Woad, who were thrashed 6 and 5 by Alison Lee and Lauren Coughlin in a result that tied the record margin of victory in a Solheim Cup foursomes match.
Hull and Woad, the only European players in the world’s top 10, have contributed just a half-point from three outings together so far this week but have been retained as a pair by captain Anna Nordqvist for the afternoon four-balls.
After back-to-back split sessions on Day 1, there was finally separation between the teams, and history suggests that is significant. Since 1998, the team that held a lead at the end of the third session has gone on to win 11 of those 13 occasions.
The United States, which has an 11-7-1 advantage in a series that dates to 1990, is the defending champion and needs 14 points to retain the crystal trophy.
See AP’s full golf coverage here
Nelly Korda of the United States takes a drop on the 16th fairwayduring the Solheim Cup at the Bernardus Golf course in Den Bosch, Netherlands, Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)
Esther Henseleit, left, of Europe gestures to teammate Leona Maguire on the 12th green during the Solheim Cup at the Bernardus Golf course in Den Bosch, Netherlands, Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)
Fans react as they watch play during the Solheim Cup at the Bernardus Golf course in Den Bosch, Netherlands, Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)
Fans react as they watch play during the Solheim Cup at the Bernardus Golf course in Den Bosch, Netherlands, Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)
Maja Stark, left, of Europe celebrates with teammate Linn Grant on the 16th green during the Solheim Cup at the Bernardus Golf course in Den Bosch, Netherlands, Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)
Nastasia Nadaud of Europe reacts after sinking her putt on the first green during the Solheim Cup at the Bernardus Golf course in Den Bosch, Netherlands, Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)
Nelly Korda of the United States hits off the second tee during the Solheim Cup at the Bernardus Golf course in Den Bosch, Netherlands, Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)
Maja Stark of Europe reacts after her shot on the first hole during the Solheim Cup at the Bernardus Golf course in Den Bosch, Netherlands, Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)
Allisen Corpuz of the United States hits off the first tee during the Solheim Cup at the Bernardus Golf course in Den Bosch, Netherlands, Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)
Players from left, Allisen Corpuz of the United States and teammate Nelly Korda and Maja Stark and Linn Grant of Europe react prior to hitting off the first tee during the Solheim Cup at the Bernardus Golf course in Den Bosch, Netherlands, Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)
