Nigerian High Commission Responds to Violent KuGompo City Protests, Insists No Coronation Took Place

• The Nigerian High Commission in South Africa has responded to the uproar of a Nigerian king in Kugompo City
• The commission released a statement following protests against the coronation of Chief Solomon Ogbonna Eziko
• Protests erupted in KuGumpo City, as angry marchers stoned vehicles, set others alight, and even looted some shops

Byron Pillay, a Briefly News journalist, has dedicated a decade to reporting on the South African political landscape, crime, and social issues. He worked as a newspaper journalist for 10 years before transitioning to online.

GAUTENG –The High Commission of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in South Africa has released a statement following the uproar over the installation of a Nigerian king in KuGumpo City.

Videos of the coronation of Chief Solomon Ogbonna Eziko surfaced online in the middle of March. Chief Eziko was installed with the title, "Igwe Ndigbo na East London" (King of the Igbo people in East London), sparking outrage in South Africa.

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Numerous groups, political parties and traditional leaders took to the streets on Monday, 30 March 2026, to protest the coronation, but what started as a peaceful march soon turned violent as vehicles were set alight and other cars were stoned.

Some businesses were also looted during the unrest, which was reportedly sparked by the stabbing of a South African by a foreign national. The Nigerian High Commission has now addressed the issue that prompted the march, insisting that no coronation took place.

What did the High Commission say?

In an official statement, the Nigerian High Commission said it had taken note of the concerns expressed by South Africans, particularly in the light of the country's established legal and cultural frameworks governing traditional leadership.

“The High Commission wishes to state, unequivocally, that, contrary to the narrative in the public domain, no coronation took place and none was intended.

“The Federal Republic of Nigeria holds the sovereignty, laws, customs, and traditions of the Republic of South Africa and its people in the highest regard,” the statement read.

It added that Nigeria valued the longstanding bilateral relations between the two countries, as they had a shared commitment to African unity and development.

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Citizens urged to keep a low profile

The Nigerian High Commission also sent out an advisory, urging citizens to maintain a low profile at all times, be mindful of personal safety, moderate movement and limit interaction with strangers.

The commission also urged citizens to avoid inflammatory statements on social or mainstream media, which could heighten tensions between the two nations.

Other stories about the march against the king

Briefly News has covered several angles around the march against the coronation of the king, especially focusing on the aftermath of it.

• The Amathole House of Traditional Leaders has reacted to the coronation of Chief Solomon Ogbonna Eziko in KuGompo City.
• A man was left devastated after he discovered that his car had been vandalised by angry residents during the protest in KuGompo City.
• Looters targeted an Eastern Cape butchery after a peaceful protest turned violent in KuGompo City.

Source: Briefly News