A few years ago in Akure, the Ondo State capital, news of missing girls filled the air almost every week. The affected girls were mostly secondary school students, with the students of a particular school in the Akure metropolis topping the list. The missing girls were mostly later found with their lovers by security operatives before they were reunited with their families.
The above scenario is not limited to Ondo State alone as cases of missing girls are heard from time to time in Nigeria, especially with the mad rush to acquire wealth. With the recent happenings among the youth, security operatives are a strong link between missing girls and hookups. Some girls are bent on going the extra mile to meet their needs. They are being driven by the urge to live above their means, especially because they are desperate to “belong” and face tremendous pressure to discharge a range of cultural obligations at the expense of their future.
Cases of missing girls in Nigeria are not new in the country as virtually every state has its fair share of the ugly incidents. In Akure, the Ondo State capital, there used to be a time when the news was like a daily pill to residents, especially among secondary school girls who stayed with their lovers while their parents moved from pillar to post in search of their “innocent girls.”
In some regions, reports of missing girls often involve abductions or disappearances, sometimes linked to human trafficking, sexual exploitation, or other criminal activities. The reasons for these disappearances can range from personal cases (e.g., running away) to being part of larger criminal networks.
The Nigerian Police Force has linked many cases of missing young women to ritual practices, with a growing connection to the rising hookup culture in the country.
The Police Public Relations Officer of the Ogun State Command, Omolola Odutola, confirmed this during a discussion on “Hookup Culture: Impact on Youth Values and Relationships.” She revealed that young women aged 20 to 32 are the most affected.
She added that many young people, especially males, believe that ritual killings are a way to become wealthy.
“This particular menace is very serious and I would like a lot of young people to understand the danger in the hookup culture. Today, we have lots of reports of missing persons. By the time we start an investigation, not less than 10 young girls and ladies go missing daily.
“In-depth investigations also revealed that those cases are not by accidents. Most of them are connected to hookup channels and apps. They fall victim to strangers who casually invite them to unknown places, and eventually fall victim to being used for ritual purposes.
“Most cases of missing girls and ritual killings stem from the ugly perspective of young persons who believe that ritual killing could enrich them. We have some of these unscrupulous elements who deceive young people to get human skulls or human body parts, which they use for some kind of concoction to get them rich,” she said.
Hookup Culture
This refers to a trend where individuals engage in casual sexual encounters without necessarily seeking long-term relationships. In some cases, this culture can lead to risky situations where people—especially young women—are exposed to predators who exploit the situation. There have been isolated cases where individuals may use online platforms or social media to lure victims into dangerous situations.
Some of the consequences include emotional and psychological injury, sexual violence, sexually transmitted infections, and/or unintended pregnancy. There have also been cases where girls have been brutally killed due to this.
Many health experts argue that hookups can do more harm than good. They expressed worries that hooking up can do a disservice to young women by negating their emotional needs, putting them at increased risk of sexually transmitted diseases, and leaving them unprepared for lasting relationships.
Most ritual killings are linked to hookups
In some countries, ritual killings are associated with beliefs in certain traditional practices or occult rituals, where human lives are taken as part of ceremonies aimed at getting power, wealth, or spiritual benefits. The victims of such killings are often vulnerable individuals, including girls or young women, who are kidnapped and murdered.
A few years ago, police in Ogun State in the western part of the country arrested four teenagers in connection with the killing of 20-year-old Sofiat Kehinde. The suspects, one of whom used to be romantically involved with Kehinde, had reportedly decapitated her with a machete and proceeded to burn the head, ostensibly to use the ashes and other body parts in a money-making ritual. The suspects were arraigned before a local magistrate, and the case sparked debate in the country. Judging by media reports, such incidents have increased significantly in recent years.
In September 2024, four young men were arrested in Kogi State for the brutal murder of 17-year-old Damilola Olowoyo, a 100-level undergraduate at the Federal University, Lokoja.
The primary suspect, Jeremiah Awe, allegedly drugged and lured Damilola to a secluded area near his lodge, where he killed her for ritual purposes. In a shocking twist, Awe deceived Damilola’s parents, claiming their daughter had been kidnapped, and demanded ransom to fund the ritual.
In 2017, 21-year old Olayinka was also killed by her boyfriend, Abdulkareem Yakubu, for ritual purposes in Kwara State. 29-year old Elohor Oniorosa was murdered by her boyfriend, David Osaretin, for ritual purposes in Edo State. In 2019, Jennifer Anthony, a 20-year old woman, was also killed by her boyfriend, Gabriel Idibia, for ritual purposes in Benue State.
The same fate befell Joy Meyer in 2018, as the 27-year old woman was killed by her boyfriend, Tope Alade, for ritual purposes in Lagos State.
How ladies are lured by ritualists
While not all cases of missing girls are linked to ritual killings, there are documented instances where abductions, sexual exploitation, and ritualistic practices intersect. Some criminals may use the façade of hook up culture or online platforms to lure vulnerable individuals into dangerous situations, where they may be targeted for exploitation or, in the most extreme cases, ritualistic murder.
It is crucial to note that while these connections may exist in certain instances, they are not representative of all cases. Many of the stories surrounding these issues are tied to social fears or misinformation, but there are also real-world cases where girls have gone missing due to criminal activities.
In Nigeria, the issue of missing girls, hookup culture, and ritual killings is a deeply concerning and complex topic, shaped by a combination of socio-cultural factors, criminal activities, and certain superstitions that persist in some regions.
Missing girls connection with abductions, human trafficking
The issue of missing girls is prominent in Nigeria, and it is tied to multiple factors.
In Nigeria, cases of missing girls often involve abductions, which are sometimes linked to criminal organisations. These girls may be kidnapped for ransom or exploited in other ways, such as trafficking. Some cases, particularly in certain parts of Nigeria, are linked to organised criminal gangs that operate under the guise of business or even ritual practices.
Nigeria is one of the countries heavily impacted by human trafficking, where young girls are often trafficked for forced labour or sexual exploitation, both within the country and internationally. These girls may be recruited through deception, often posing as a potential job or opportunity for a better life, only to be sold into prostitution or slavery.
Hook up culture and its role in exploitation
Hookup culture in Nigeria, especially in urban areas, has gained traction, fueled by the rise of social media and dating apps. This culture, which promotes casual sexual encounters without the expectation of a committed relationship, has become a way for young people to explore their sexuality. However, it also has a darker side.
Some men, often masquerading as potential boyfriends or suitors, exploit online dating platforms and social media to lure young girls into dangerous situations. They may promise gifts, money, or a relationship, only to manipulate the girls into meeting in person, where they could be abducted, raped or trafficked.
Many girls who are drawn into this culture, particularly those from vulnerable backgrounds, may be coerced or manipulated into engaging in sex work or sexual exploitation. The promise of money, gifts, or a “better life” often masks the reality of being used for exploitation.
The anonymity provided by online platforms often allows predators to establish trust with victims who may otherwise not have been approached in person. These predators may then set up meetings where victims are abducted or put in situations that lead to abuse or exploitation. Some of these meetings end in tragic consequences, where girls are never seen again.
Superstition fuelling ritual killings in Nigeria
Ritual killings in Nigeria are unfortunately part of a deeply rooted cultural and criminal phenomenon. Ritualistic practices, often driven by superstitions, have led to abductions, exploitation, and murder of young girls. These killings are often believed to bring prosperity, power, or success to those who perform them. Here is how ritual killings tie into the equation:
In certain parts of Nigeria, there is a longstanding belief that ritual sacrifices involving human blood, organs, or body parts can bring wealth, power, or protection from enemies. This belief sometimes drives individuals or criminal groups to target young girls for these horrific purposes. The victims are often abducted, sometimes during routine daily activities, and are never seen again.
In some cases, girls who are trafficked may become victims of ritualistic killings. These young girls, once trafficked, may be forced into servitude, abuse, and exploitation for a period, and eventually killed for their body parts or spiritual rituals. This disturbing connection has been documented in various parts of the country.
Ritual killings are sometimes orchestrated by criminal syndicates that operate in the shadows of Nigeria’s economy. These syndicates can be connected to both ritualistic traditions and other criminal activities like trafficking, kidnapping, and even extortion. Rituals are sometimes seen as ways to attain material wealth or success in business, politics, or other spheres, further fueling the demand for human sacrifices.
There have been reports of girls and young women being abducted by ritual killers in Nigeria. For instance, in some cases, criminals kidnap young girls under the pretext of offering them employment or a better life, only to take them to secluded locations where they are murdered for ritualistic purposes.
One widely reported case involved the discovery of a young girl’s body in Benin City, Edo State, which was believed to be part of a ritual killing. Authorities later linked the crime to a syndicate involved in ritualistic killings. Similar cases have been reported in other states across Nigeria, often with disturbing details about the brutality of the killings.
Poverty pushing young girls into hookups
Poverty is a driving factor for many girls to seek opportunities that may expose them to exploitation. With limited education, job prospects, and financial independence, some young girls may be more vulnerable to exploitation via hook-up culture or criminal schemes. This desperation is sometimes manipulated by individuals who promise an escape from poverty but instead subject them to abuse or death.
In many cases, weak law enforcement, corruption, and a lack of effective investigations into missing persons or ritual killings exacerbate the problem. Criminals and ritual killers often go unpunished due to insufficient laws or lack of enforcement, giving them the freedom to continue their activities.
The link between missing girls, hookup culture, and ritual killings in Nigeria is a tragic intersection of modern exploitation and deep-rooted cultural practices. While many cases may be tied to human trafficking and sexual exploitation, there is a disturbing trend in which some girls fall prey to ritualistic crimes fueled by superstition and criminal syndicates. Combating these issues requires a multi-pronged approach that includes education, stronger law enforcement, and community support to protect vulnerable young girls and prevent these crimes from recurring.
