A Nigerian man identified as Chimezie has been shot dead by unidentified gunmen at a bar in the Durban area of South Africa.
Reliable sources gathered that the attack happened around 10:30 p.m. on Thursday while the victim, who worked as a bartender, was serving customers.
A source familiar with the incident told our correspondent on Saturday that two assailants carried out the shooting.
According to the source, who requested anonymity for safety reasons, the gunmen entered the bar, approached Chimezie directly, and opened fire on him.
“What we learnt was that Chimezie had just resumed work that evening and was busy attending to customers at the bar when two men walked up to him. They had barely spoken for a minute when one of them opened fire on him. He was shot multiple times, and then they ran out of the bar. During this period, other people in the bar had run for safety,” the source narrated.
Chimezie was reportedly found unresponsive and confirmed dead on the spot.
The source added that the killing may be connected to cult-related activities.
The incident adds to the growing list of violent attacks involving Nigerians in South Africa, many of which have been linked to gang and drug rivalries.
A short video shared by Naija Confra, a platform that documents cult-related violence, showed the victim lying face down inside the bar.
According to the platform, the deceased recently relocated from Johannesburg to Durban for work.
“Chimezie reportedly moved from Johannesburg to work with someone in Durban and was working at a bar in a place called Phoenix in Durban,” the platform stated.
When contacted on Sunday, the President of the Nigerian Union in South Africa, Mr. Smart Nwobi, confirmed the killing.
“Indeed, we are aware. We have been collaborating with the South African law enforcement to bring an end to the gang-related attacks and killings,” he disclosed.
Nwobi further explained that while such incidents occur sporadically, Durban has recorded the highest number in recent times.
When asked about arrests, he said, “None, so far.”
Reports recall that in July, two Nigerians identified simply as Austin and Ayo were also shot dead by gunmen in Durban. The attackers, numbering three and wearing masks, stormed Austin’s office around 8 p.m. and killed both men on the spot.
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