Nigerian consulate issues safety advisory after eight women die in SA

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The Consulate-General of Nigeria in Johannesburg has issued a safety advisory to Nigerians living in Kempton Park, Rhodesfield and surrounding areas of Ekurhuleni, following the deaths of eight women whose cases, the consulate said, are being investigated by the South African Police Service.

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The consulate, in the advisory dated September 16, 2026, said the deaths occurred over approximately two months and had prompted the deployment of a multidisciplinary investigation team comprising specialised law-enforcement resources.

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“The Consulate General of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in Johannesburg wishes to draw the urgent attention of members of the Nigerian Community to serious and developing safety concerns following the deaths of eight women whose cases are currently being investigated by the South African Police Service (SAPS) in and around Ekurhuleni, east of Johannesburg.

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“The deaths have occurred over approximately two months and have prompted the deployment of a multidisciplinary investigation team comprising specialised law enforcement resources,” the advisory read in part.

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The consulate said investigators had identified “concerning similarities” in some of the cases and were examining whether and to what extent the incidents might be connected.

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However, it stressed that the SAPS had not established that the deaths were committed by a single perpetrator, nor confirmed the involvement of a serial killer.

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The mission said the circumstances of the individual cases remained under investigation but considered them serious enough to warrant “heightened vigilance and prudent personal-safety measures”, particularly among Nigerian women and girls who live, work, study, exercise, socialise or regularly travel through the affected areas.

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“The Consulate’s concern is informed by both the recent string of incidents, and the broader crime environment in Gauteng Province. According to the latest SAPS quarterly crime statistics, 1,223 murders and 2,369 sexual offences were recorded in Gauteng between January and March 2026. During the same period, SAPS recorded 39,094 contact crimes against persons in the province,” the advisory further stated.

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The consulate noted that the statistics did not establish any connection between the eight deaths and any particular pattern of crime.

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The Nigerian mission advised members of the community, especially women, to avoid walking, jogging or exercising alone in isolated, poorly lit, deserted or unfamiliar areas, including open fields and secluded pathways.

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It also urged Nigerians to exercise and travel in groups where possible, vary their routes and exercise times, and avoid repeatedly using isolated locations.

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The consulate advised residents to remain alert to their surroundings and avoid prolonged use of headphones or mobile phones when walking or exercising in areas with limited visibility or pedestrian activity.

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It further urged Nigerians to inform family members, friends or other trusted persons of their destination, route and expected time of return.

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The mission cautioned Nigerians against circulating unverified photographs, names, videos, voice notes or allegations identifying purported suspects or linking unrelated incidents.

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It said such actions could prejudice ongoing investigations, cause serious harm to innocent persons and undermine the work of law-enforcement authorities.

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The consulate said the advisory was not intended to create panic or restrict the lawful movement of Nigerians, but to ensure that the community was properly informed and equipped to take reasonable precautions while investigations continued.

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It added that the safety measures should not be seen as placing the burden of preventing violence on women or as a substitute for effective policing, investigation and accountability, adding that the measures were “offered as practical precautions that may reduce exposure to immediate risks, while law enforcement authorities investigate the circumstances surrounding these deaths.”

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The mission expressed condolences to the families and loved ones of the deceased women and urged anyone with credible information that could assist the investigation to report directly to the SAPS rather than disseminating it on social media.

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The consulate said it would continue to monitor developments and liaise with the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria and relevant South African authorities.

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The advisory gave the SAPS emergency number as 10111, Crime Stop for anonymous information as 08600 10111, and the mobile emergency number as 112. Nigerians may also use the MySAPS application to provide information.

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For Nigerians directly affected by a serious incident, the consulate provided its community line, +27627642412, and email address, [email protected].

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