South African Police Arrest 8 Nigerians Following Altercation During Drug Raid

South African law enforcement officials have detained eight Nigerian nationals over allegations of assaulting officers during a drug raid in the Northern Cape province.

According to a statement released on Friday by the police, the suspects are also accused of causing damage to vehicles and other property during the incident.

The police indicated that the arrests were made while they were investigating information regarding one of the Nigerian individuals reportedly possessing narcotics.

During the operation, a confrontation erupted as a sizable group of Nigerians purportedly launched an attack on the police officers. In response, law enforcement deployed rubber bullets to disperse the crowd.

Among those apprehended, one individual was charged with illegal drug possession, while three others were detained for public violence and held at the Kimberley Police Station.

However, during the processing of the suspects, an escalation occurred as they allegedly vandalized windows at the station, resulting in additional charges of malicious damage to property.

Following the initial confrontation, another group of Nigerian nationals reportedly approached the police station and issued threats of retaliation. The operational commander intervened, urging the group to disperse. Nevertheless, the situation escalated as the group purportedly damaged police vehicles, leading to the arrest of four additional suspects for malicious damage to property.

Koliswa Otola, the police commissioner for the province, commended the officers for their swift response and the subsequent arrest of the suspects.

Expressing condemnation for acts of violence against law enforcement personnel, Otola asserted that those obstructing police duties would face severe repercussions.

“We will not tolerate such lawlessness,” declared the commissioner, emphasizing the commitment of the police to maintain order and uphold the authority of the state in the Northern Cape Province.

The police are currently collaborating with the Department of Home Affairs to ascertain the immigration status of the detained individuals, determining whether they are legally or illegally present in the country.