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The Nigerian Consulate-General in Johannesburg has issued a safety advisory to Nigerians following the deaths of eight women in and around Ekurhuleni, east of Johannesburg, whose cases are being investigated by South African authorities.
The advisory, issued on Thursday by the Consul-General, Amb. Ninikanwa Okey-Uche, urged Nigerians, particularly women and girls living, working, studying or travelling through Kempton Park, Rhodesfield and surrounding areas, to exercise heightened vigilance.
Okey-Uche said South African authorities had identified similarities in some of the cases and deployed a multidisciplinary team to investigate whether the incidents were connected.
She, however, stressed that the South African Police Service (SAPS) had not established that the deaths were linked to a single perpetrator or confirmed reports of a serial killer.
The consul-general said the warning was also informed by the broader crime situation in Gauteng. She cited SAPS statistics showing that 1,223 murders, 2,369 sexual offences and 39,094 contact crimes against persons were recorded in the province between January and March 2026.
She advised Nigerians to avoid walking, jogging or exercising alone in isolated, poorly lit or unfamiliar areas, including open fields, secluded pathways and locations with limited pedestrian activity.
Okey-Uche urged anyone with relevant information to contact SAPS through Emergency 10111, Crime Stop 08600 10111, Mobile Emergency 112 or the MySAPS application.
She advised Nigerians facing immediate danger to move to a safe and populated location and contact emergency services. Nigerians directly affected by serious incidents can also contact the Consulate on +27627642412 or via cgihb@nigerianconsulatesa.org.
The Consul-General said the mission would continue monitoring developments and liaising with the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria and relevant South African authorities.
She also expressed condolences to the families and loved ones of the deceased women and solidarity with communities affected by the incidents.
