A Nigerian man identified only as Chimezie has been shot dead by unidentified gunmen at a bar in Durban, South Africa.
The incident occurred around 10:30 p.m. on Thursday while the victim, who worked as a bartender, was serving customers.
A source familiar with the matter told PUNCH Metro on Saturday that the attack was carried out by two unknown assailants who stormed the bar and headed straight for Chimezie.
The source said Chimezie had just resumed work that evening and was attending to customers when the men approached him.
According to the source, they spoke briefly before one of them pulled out a gun and shot him multiple times.
The attackers were said to have fled immediately as patrons scrambled for safety.
Chimezie was pronounced dead at the scene. The motive behind the killing remains unclear, though sources suggested it might be linked to cult-related activities.
The killing adds to a series of violent attacks involving Nigerians in South Africa, many of which have been associated with gang and drug-related conflicts.
A short video shared by Naija Confra, a platform known for exposing cult-related incidents, showed the deceased lying face down inside the bar.
The platform reported that Chimezie had recently relocated from Johannesburg to Durban, where he secured employment at the bar in the Phoenix area.
Confirming the incident, the President of the Nigerian Union in South Africa, Mr. Smart Nwobi, said the union was working with South African authorities to address the recurring violence.
Nwobi said, “Indeed, we are aware of the incident. We have been collaborating with South African law enforcement to curb gang-related attacks and killings.”
He added that although such incidents occur occasionally, most of them have been recorded in Durban.
When asked if any arrests had been made, he said none had been reported as of press time.
In July, PUNCH Metro reported that two Nigerians, identified as Austin and Ayo, were also shot dead by masked assailants in Durban, further highlighting the ongoing insecurity facing members of the Nigerian community in South Africa.
