Nigerian Man Shot Dead By SA Police
By Wolimoh Abdulmateen
A Nigerian national, identified as Osinakachukwu Onu, has been fatally shot during a traffic operation on the N12 highway in Klerksdorp, North West Province, South Africa, triggering the arrest of four traffic police officers.
Onu, who was 37 years old, was reportedly killed in the early hours of Wednesday during an encounter with traffic officers conducting routine operations in the area.
South African authorities confirmed that the four officers involved, aged between 25 and 36, were taken into custody on Wednesday after initially leaving the scene of the shooting. Detectives later traced and arrested them in Klerksdorp.
According to a report by South African news outlet Independent Online (IOL), the suspects are facing charges of murder and defeating the ends of justice.
North West provincial police spokesperson, Colonel Adéle Myburgh, disclosed that the incident occurred at about 3am while traffic officers were on duty along the N12.
“It is alleged that the deceased, who was legally resident in South Africa, was pursued by four traffic officers during a traffic operation,” Myburgh said.
She explained that during the chase, Onu was allegedly shot, after which his vehicle was discovered stalled in the middle of the highway on the opposite side of the road.
Police said they were alerted to the shooting and arrived at the location only to find that the traffic officers involved had already fled the scene.
Further investigations reportedly led detectives to the suspects’ location, where all four officers were apprehended.
Their service firearms have since been confiscated and submitted for forensic ballistic examination as part of the ongoing probe.
The arrested officers are expected to be arraigned before the Klerksdorp Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, December 18.
Reacting to the arrests, North West Acting Provincial Commissioner, Major General Ryno Naidoo, commended the detectives for what he described as a prompt and effective investigation.
The incident has renewed concerns over the safety of Nigerians living in South Africa, amid repeated reports of violent attacks involving foreign nationals.
In a related incident reported in July, two Nigerians, identified as Austin and Ayo, were shot dead by gunmen who reportedly stormed an office in Durban late at night, killing both men on the spot.