South African returnee Okechukwu Maduka has recounted the violence he said he experienced during his years in South Africa, alleging that many Nigerians face life-threatening attacks regardless of their circumstances.
According to an interview aired on Vanguard News TV on Saturday, July 4, 2026, Maduka said he relocated to South Africa on June 10, 1999, in search of better opportunities but encountered violence and discrimination against foreigners.
“I went to South Africa on 10 June 1999. If you make it, they will kill you; if you don’t make it, their women will laugh at you. A lot of people are dying there. I’ve been a victim; they shot me in my head, hand and leg,” he said.
Maduka said surviving the shooting remains one of the most painful experiences of his life, adding that he sustained injuries to his head, hand and leg. He alleged that many other Nigerians were not as fortunate and lost their lives in similar attacks.
He further claimed that the environment has become increasingly unsafe for foreigners, leaving many Nigerians living in fear and discouraging migrants from pursuing their goals despite years of hard work.
