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The Nigerian Police Force has linked the rising cases of missing young women to ritual practices connected to the country's growing hookup culture. Women aged 20-32 are the most affected, with many falling victim to strangers through hookup apps. Authorities are raising awareness to curb these crimes and provide support.

The Nigerian Police Force has linked an increasing number of missing young women to ritual practices, highlighting a disturbing connection to the country’s rising hookup culture. According to Omolola Odutola, the Public Relations Officer of the Ogun State Police Command, young women aged 20 to 32 are particularly vulnerable to these dangers.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Morning Brief on Wednesday, Odutola revealed that an alarming number of missing persons reports involve young women, with investigations showing that many cases are linked to hookup platforms. She explained that these women often meet strangers through apps, who then lure them to unknown locations where they fall victim to ritual killings.

Odutola noted that the belief in ritual killings as a path to wealth is growing among some youths, especially young men. Rituals, which involve using human body parts for financial gain, have been falsely promoted as a shortcut to prosperity. This belief is fuelling the rise of dangerous practices, with the Ogun State Police working actively to reduce such crimes.

Collaborating with the State Women Affairs Commission, the police are providing counseling for women affected by these situations, especially those who escape the ritualistic schemes. The authorities are also using advocacy and sensitization to educate young people, warning them of the dire consequences of getting involved in ritual killings.

While hookup culture remains prevalent among young women, it also underscores societal pressures and the quest for wealth, leading to tragic consequences for many.