The Nigerian Police Force has highlighted a disturbing connection between the growing hookup culture and cases of missing young women and ritual killings in the country.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Morning Brief on December 4, 2024, Ogun State Police Command spokesperson, SP Omolola Odutola, revealed that young women aged 20 to 32 are the most affected demographic in these incidents.
“This is a serious menace. Many reports of missing persons we receive daily involve young girls who fall victim to strangers through hookup channels and apps,” Odutola stated.
Odutola explained that investigations often uncover a chilling pattern:
“Many of these cases are linked to individuals who lure unsuspecting victims to unknown locations, only for them to be exploited in ritual killings driven by a misguided belief that these acts can bring wealth.”
She further noted that as many as ten young girls and women are reported missing daily, with a significant number of cases tied to the hookup culture.
To combat this growing problem, the Ogun State Police Command is working closely with the State Women Affairs Commission. This collaboration involves counseling sessions and mental health support for victims who escape such harrowing experiences.
“We also run advocacy and sensitization programs to educate young people, dispelling the myth that ritual killings lead to wealth,” Odutola added.
Odutola attributed the rise in this dangerous culture to societal pressures and the “get-rich-quick syndrome” that drives young people to desperate measures.
“The hookup culture is prevalent among young girls who feel unsupported by their families or seek quick financial gains. This is a wake-up call for society to address these underlying issues,” she emphasized.
The Ogun State Commissioner of Police has been proactive in addressing this alarming trend, with efforts to curb ritual killings and protect vulnerable groups. Odutola called on the public to join in the fight by promoting values of hard work and discouraging involvement in dangerous practices.
