Nigerian cleric Bishop Taiwo Michael Fakunle, 58, was shot dead at his residence in Kensington, Johannesburg, South Africa, on Friday, September 4, 2026, prompting the Nigerian Citizens Association South Africa (NICASA) to demand an urgent and transparent investigation into the killing.

Fakunle’s death has sparked outrage among Nigerians living in South Africa, with NICASA describing the incident as a devastating loss to his family, church community and the wider Nigerian community.

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According to NICASA President, Rev. Frank Onyekwelu, preliminary information indicates that two suspects gained access to Fakunle’s residence and opened fire on him.

The bishop was reportedly shot more than seven times.

Onyekwelu said the circumstances surrounding the killing must be thoroughly established and those responsible identified and brought before the courts.

“We demand a thorough and credible investigation that will establish exactly what happened, identify all those responsible, apprehend the perpetrators and ensure that they are brought before the courts to face the full might of the law,” he said.

A murder case has been opened at Jeppe Police Station, while investigations into the circumstances of the killing are ongoing.

The motive for the shooting and the identities of the suspected attackers have not been publicly established.

Fakunle, who hailed from Iye in Ilejemeje Local Government Area of Ekiti State, Nigeria, was described by NICASA as a valued member of the Nigerian community whose death had left relatives, friends and fellow Nigerians deeply shaken.

“This was not merely an ordinary loss of life; it was a horrific and senseless act of violence that has robbed a family of a loved one and the Nigerian community of another precious life,” Onyekwelu said.

NICASA has called on the South African Police Service and other relevant authorities to treat the case with urgency, professionalism and transparency.

The association also urged Nigerian diplomatic authorities in South Africa to remain engaged with their South African counterparts and closely monitor the investigation until those responsible are brought to justice.

The Consulate General of Nigeria in Johannesburg has reportedly been informed of the killing.

Onyekwelu warned against allowing the case to become another unresolved file, saying the family and wider Nigerian community deserved clear answers.

“The family deserves answers. The Nigerian community deserves justice. Bishop Taiwo deserves justice,” he said.

The killing has also renewed concerns among Nigerians in South Africa over violent crime and the safety of members of the community.

NICASA stressed, however, that Nigerians should remain calm and law-abiding while the investigation continues, warning against taking the law into their own hands or allowing anger over Fakunle’s death to trigger further violence.

“We will pursue justice through every legitimate and lawful channel available to us,” the association said.

The organisation also extended its condolences to Fakunle’s immediate family, relatives, friends, church members, fellow Ekiti indigenes and the wider Nigerian community in South Africa.

For the family, the immediate priority is mourning a 58-year-old cleric whose life ended in a violent attack.

For NICASA and the Nigerian community, the demand is clear: a credible investigation, accountability for those responsible and assurance that the killing of Bishop Taiwo Michael Fakunle will not be forgotten.