The Nigerian Community in South Africa has announced the killing of Clement Nwaogu, who was burnt alive by a mob in the latest xenophobia attack in that country. Publicity Secretary of the Nigeria Union in South Africa, Habib Miller, confirmed the killing from Pretoria in a telephone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Port Harcourt yesterday.
He said the victim, a native of Njikoka in Anambra state, and an upholsterer in South Africa, was attacked and killed by a mob in Rustenburg, North West Province. Miller said the victim was murdered in cold blood over his accent and habit, which the mobsters supposedly found offensive.
“The mob descended on him like a common criminal with all sorts of dangerous weapons in the presence of South African police officers. Eyewitnesses say the victim beckoned for help from the police to intervene and help him, but they turned a blind eye. “When Nwaogu could no longer persevere, he ran for safety; the mob chased and caught him, poured petrol on him and set him ablaze,” he said. The spokesman said shortly after the mob left Nwaogu that some passersby called emergency personnel, who later took the victim’s charred body to the hospital.
“The eyewitnesses feeling that the victim was still alive called for help; unfortunately, Nwaogu could not survive the ordeal and died at Job Shimankane Hospital in Rustenburg,” he said.
