In Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, a seven-year-old boy named Jomiloju narrowly escaped a tragic fate when his uncle, 23-year-old Fabiyi Solomon, attempted to use him for a money ritual.
Solomon, hailing from Ayedun in Kwara State, confessed in a widely circulated video that he intended to sacrifice his sister’s son to gain wealth. He explained, “I was told to bring someone for the sacrifice, and I told them I have a younger brother… His name is Jomiloju. He is my sister’s son. He is seven years old.”
This incident sheds light on the alarming rise of ritual killings in Nigeria. Individuals, driven by the promise of quick riches, resort to human sacrifices. Economic hardships and misinformation have fueled this disturbing trend, leading to a surge in such cases across the country.
In a related event, authorities in Ilorin, Kwara State, arraigned an Islamic cleric, Abdulrahman Mohad (also known as Mohammed Bello), along with four others. They stand accused of murdering Lawal Hafsoh Yetunde, a final-year student at Kwara State College of Education, for ritualistic purposes. Reports indicate that Mohad lured Hafsoh after connecting with her on Facebook.
These incidents underscore the urgent need for societal intervention to address the root causes of such practices. Combating misinformation, providing economic opportunities, and fostering community awareness are essential steps to curb the prevalence of ritual killings in Nigeria.
