Single Women Alarmed as Ritual Killings Surge
By Innocent Eneta,
Across Nigeria, a surge in ritualistic killings by boyfriends has triggered widespread panic among single women, who now fear for their safety even in everyday situations.
Recent cases of young women being murdered by their partners for ritualistic purposes have intensified these fears. Notable incidents include the arrest of 25-year-old Elisha in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, on May 14, for allegedly killing his lover. In Ogun State, Ayomide Adeleye was arrested on August 19 for the abduction and murder of Christiana Idowu, a student at the Federal University of Agriculture. Adeleye had previously been linked to the murder of his ex-girlfriend in 2018.
Other alarming cases involve Fatai Mogaji, who was arrested on August 6 in Lagos State for allegedly stabbing his ex-girlfriend, Opeyemi Shoyinka, to death. In Lokoja, 20-year-old Jeremiah Samson was apprehended after dismembering and burying 19-year-old Damilola, a Federal University student.
These horrific crimes have left many young women feeling vulnerable. Adenike Araoye, 22, voiced her apprehension about dating, saying, “I am single, but I’m terrified of entering a relationship. The news of boys killing their girlfriends is terrifying. Good guys seem rare these days.”
Mariam Oyebamiji, a student at Osun State University, echoed concerns about general insecurity, noting, “I don’t want anyone to destroy my parents’ joy.” Oluwatobiloba Ajiboye, 30, warned of the increased risk for women due to materialism and dating fraudsters. “These killings show that some men never truly loved these women; the relationship was just a cover for their sinister plans,” Ajiboye said.
Ajiboye attributed the rise in ritual killings to the harsh economic climate and societal pressures, suggesting that economic desperation drives some young men to seek wealth through violence.
Journalist Nafisat Oyedele lamented society’s tendency to blame victims rather than addressing the root causes of femicide. “It’s heartbreaking to see so many femicide cases in Nigeria, yet society blames the victims. Girls are told to stay home, but even at home, they aren’t always safe. Many are killed by people close to them,” Oyedele said.
Activist Titilope Adako described the ritual killings as a severe form of gender-based violence, driven by superstition, desperation, and ignorance. “The fact that intimate partners, who should offer love and support, are committing these brutal acts is a clear sign of societal failure,” Adako said. She emphasized that the belief in wealth through human sacrifice, coupled with ineffective law enforcement, creates a dangerous environment where violence is normalized.
Adako’s insights underscore the urgent need for societal change and effective measures to protect women from such heinous crimes.
