22-Year-Old Nigerian Student Killed in South Africa Amid Rising Xenophobia

A tragic incident occurred when Isaac Satlat, a 22-year-old Nigerian student hailing from Plateau State, was shot dead in South Africa, with many Nigerians in the country viewing this as part of a disturbing trend of xenophobic attacks.

Charles Awuzie announced the tragic news on his Facebook page on February 12. He reported that Isaac, the son of a Christian Missionary in South Africa, was allegedly kidnapped while driving his father's vehicle in Moshongo Province, located outside Pretoria.

Awuzie revealed that Isaac’s body was discovered two days later, marked by multiple gunshot wounds, just weeks before he was slated to graduate and begin a new academic journey in Canada.

In another account, a fellow Nigerian in South Africa expressed sorrow over Isaac's violent death. They noted, "Just four days after a Nigerian named Emeka Uzor was fatally shot by Xholani Khumalo's group in South Africa, Isaac Satlat was abducted from his car and shot multiple times the previous night."

The report continued, "Isaac's remains were found in Moshongo, Attridgeville, close to Pretoria. Prior to his death, he was a student in South Africa, set to graduate shortly and travel to Canada for further education."

Concern for his father's health was raised as reports confirmed that he had been hospitalized in Nigeria due to skyrocketing blood pressure upon receiving the news of his son's death. The statement further lamented the severe animosity that exists towards Nigerians in South Africa, suggesting that such hatred has created an environment where Nigerians should avoid traveling there, even with financial incentives.

"Isaac was brutally murdered, with over 12 bullet wounds inflicting his young body, leaving him in a pool of blood. The vehicle he was driving, belonging to his parents, was vandalized. Reports indicate that his father experienced a spike in blood pressure to 230 after the shock of the news about his son," the account concluded.