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Nigeria has issued a safety alert to its citizens in South Africa following the deaths of eight women in and around Ekurhuleni, east of Johannesburg, within the past two months.
The Nigerian Consulate-General in Johannesburg, which expressed concern over the incidents, urged Nigerians, particularly women and girls living, working, studying or travelling through Kempton Park, Rhodesfield and surrounding areas, to exercise heightened vigilance.
Consul-General Ninikanwa Okey-Uche, in an advisory issued yesterday, however, cautioned against concluding that the deaths were linked, stressing that the South African Police Service (SAPS) had neither established that they were committed by a single perpetrator nor confirmed the involvement of a serial killer.
South African authorities have deployed a multidisciplinary investigation team comprising specialised law-enforcement agencies to investigate the deaths.
Okey-Uche said investigative reports had identified similarities in some of the cases, but authorities were still examining whether and to what extent the incidents might be connected.
“The Consulate considers the circumstances sufficiently serious to warrant heightened vigilance and prudent personal-safety measures, particularly among Nigerian women and girls.
“Specifically, those who live, work, study, exercise, socialise or regularly travel through Kempton Park, Rhodesfield and surrounding areas of Ekurhuleni.
“The Consulate’s concern is informed by both the recent string of incidents, and the broader crime environment in Gauteng Province,” she said.
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Citing SAPS quarterly crime statistics, Okey-Uche said 1,223 murders and 2,369 sexual offences were recorded in Gauteng between January and March 2026, alongside 39,094 contact crimes against persons.
She stressed, however, that the statistics provided broader context on violent crime in the province and did not establish any connection among the eight deaths currently under investigation.
According to her, SAPS had also warned women in the affected areas to exercise extreme caution, particularly when walking or exercising alone in isolated locations.
Okey-Uche advised Nigerians to avoid walking, jogging or exercising alone in poorly lit, deserted or unfamiliar places, including open fields, secluded pathways and areas with limited pedestrian activity.
She urged Nigerians with relevant information to report to South African authorities and advised anyone facing an immediate threat to move to a safe and populated location before contacting emergency services.
The consul-general said Nigerians directly affected by serious incidents should also notify the Consulate-General.
She assured the Nigerian community that the consulate would continue monitoring developments and liaising with Nigeria’s High Commission in Pretoria and relevant South African authorities.
Okey-Uche extended condolences to the families of the eight women and expressed solidarity with communities affected by the deaths.
