A Nigerian national, identified as Osinakachukwu Onu, has been fatally shot during a traffic operation on the N12 highway in Klerksdorp, North West Province of South Africa.
Onu, who was 37 years old, was reportedly killed in the early hours of Wednesday after an encounter with traffic police officers. According to a report by South African media outlet Independent Online (IOL), four traffic officers have since been arrested in connection with the incident.
The North West Police Command confirmed that the officers, aged between 25 and 36, were taken into custody on Wednesday. Investigations revealed that the officers allegedly left the scene after the shooting but were later located and apprehended by detectives in Klerksdorp.
Police spokesperson, Colonel Adéle Myburgh, stated that the incident occurred around 3am during a routine traffic operation. The deceased, who was said to be legally resident in South Africa, was allegedly pursued by the officers. During the chase, he was shot, and his vehicle was later discovered abandoned in the middle of the road on the opposite lane of the 12.
Law enforcement officials were alerted and responded to the scene, only to find that the officers involved had already fled. Further investigations led detectives to trace the suspects to another location within Klerksdorp, where they were arrested.
The officers’ service firearms have been confiscated and will undergo ballistic testing as part of the ongoing investigation. They are expected to face charges of murder and defeating the ends of justice when they appear before the Klerksdorp Magistrate’s Court on Thursday.
Reacting to the development, the Acting Provincial Commissioner of the North West, Major General Ryno Naidoo, praised the detectives for their prompt action and welcomed the arrests.
The incident has further heightened concerns over the safety of Nigerians living in South Africa. In July, two Nigerian men, identified as Austin and Ayo, were shot and killed in Durban after armed men reportedly invaded an office and opened fire, killing both victims instantly.
