The Ogun State Police Command has raised concerns over the increasing number of missing girls and ritual killings in the state, attributing the trend to the growing hookup culture.
Hookups, a slang term for casual and often transactional sexual encounters, have been linked to numerous incidents involving young women.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Morning Brief on Wednesday, the Public Relations Officer for the Ogun State Police Command, Omolola Odutola, described the situation as alarming.
She revealed that investigations show a significant number of missing persons cases in the state are connected to hookup activities.
“On average, not less than 10 young girls and ladies go missing daily in Ogun State,” Odutola stated. “In-depth investigations reveal that most of these cases are not accidental but tied to hookup channels and apps. Many victims are lured by strangers to unfamiliar locations, where they are ultimately used for ritual purposes.”
Odutola highlighted Ogun State’s troubling history with such incidents, citing examples of recent cases.
In October, the police reported the disappearance of 18-year-old Testimony John, who went missing after running an errand to Saabo Market in Sagamu. Similarly, in September, the state was shaken by the abduction and murder of 17-year-old secondary school student Habibat Akinsanya.
The police spokesperson urged young women to exercise caution when engaging with strangers, particularly through hookup platforms, and appealed to parents to be vigilant about their children’s activities. She also stressed the importance of community efforts in tackling the issue.
The Ogun State Police Command reiterated its commitment to addressing the menace and called on residents to promptly report suspicious activities to law enforcement.
