Romantic Deception, Wealth Aspirations, and Ritual Killings: The Targeting of Young Women in Nigeria

Authors

itohan Iyobhebhe College of Humanities, Management, and Social Sciences, Department of Business Administration, Mountain Top University
Sherifat Olayinka Fowosere College of Applied Social Sciences, Lagos State University of Science and Technology

Keywords:

Ritual Killings, Romantic Deception, Young Women, Discontentment, Conformity Pressure, Excessive Wealth Aspirations, Vulnerability, Wealthy Partners

Abstract

In Nigeria, ritual killings of young women are common, frequently committed by romantic or potential romantic partners of the victims to satisfy their avarice for quick wealth. This study examined the notable rise in ritual killings of young women in Nigeria, evaluating how excessive aspirations for riches, conformity pressures, and discontent render young women more susceptible targets through romantic relationships. A mixed research methodology investigated ritual crime patterns by examining quantitative data and gathering individual perspectives through open-ended questioning. Responses were collected from 150 individuals acquainted with victims, randomly selected from three Nigerian states, employing SPSS software for comprehensive data analysis. The findings indicated that young women who actively seek wealth build associations with wealthy partners in 84% of cases; pressures of conformity and discontent contributed to 65.8% and 67.7% of individuals falling prey to ritualistic murders masquerading as partners, respectively. The study concluded that an excessive focus on financial gain makes young women more vulnerable to manipulation and more likely to enter into precarious relationships with wealthy partners without concern for the origin of the wealth. The research recommended that young women prioritize financial empowerment via skill acquisition, entrepreneurship, and education. Diverse entities, including family-related, government, educational institutions, and religious leaders, must collaborate to educate society about such detrimental behaviours and fall prey to them. The study highlights the importance of assessing both social, economic and personal factors that lead to young women being victims of ritual killings. Therefore, initiatives to safeguard young women from abuse and structural improvements for a safer society must be devised.

Author Biographies

itohan Iyobhebhe, College of Humanities, Management, and Social Sciences, Department of Business Administration, Mountain Top University

In Nigeria, ritual killings of young women are common, frequently committed by romantic or potential romantic partners of the victims to satisfy their avarice for quick wealth. This study examined the notable rise in ritual killings of young women in Nigeria, evaluating how excessive aspirations for riches, conformity pressures, and discontent render young women more susceptible targets through romantic relationships. A mixed research methodology investigated ritual crime patterns by examining quantitative data and gathering individual perspectives through open-ended questioning. Responses were collected from 150 individuals acquainted with victims, randomly selected from three Nigerian states, employing SPSS software for comprehensive data analysis. The findings indicated that young women who actively seek wealth build associations with wealthy partners in 84% of cases; pressures of conformity and discontent contributed to 65.8% and 67.7% of individuals falling prey to ritualistic murders masquerading as partners, respectively. The study concluded that an excessive focus on financial gain makes young women more vulnerable to manipulation and more likely to enter into precarious relationships with wealthy partners without concern for the origin of the wealth. The research recommended that young women prioritize financial empowerment via skill acquisition, entrepreneurship, and education. Diverse entities, including family-related, government, educational institutions, and religious leaders, must collaborate to educate society about such detrimental behaviours and fall prey to them. The study highlights the importance of assessing both social, economic and personal factors that lead to young women being victims of ritual killings. Therefore, initiatives to safeguard young women from abuse and structural improvements for a safer society must be devised.

Sherifat Olayinka Fowosere, College of Applied Social Sciences, Lagos State University of Science and Technology

In Nigeria, ritual killings of young women are common, frequently committed by romantic or potential romantic partners of the victims to satisfy their avarice for quick wealth. This study examined the notable rise in ritual killings of young women in Nigeria, evaluating how excessive aspirations for riches, conformity pressures, and discontent render young women more susceptible targets through romantic relationships. A mixed research methodology investigated ritual crime patterns by examining quantitative data and gathering individual perspectives through open-ended questioning. Responses were collected from 150 individuals acquainted with victims, randomly selected from three Nigerian states, employing SPSS software for comprehensive data analysis. The findings indicated that young women who actively seek wealth build associations with wealthy partners in 84% of cases; pressures of conformity and discontent contributed to 65.8% and 67.7% of individuals falling prey to ritualistic murders masquerading as partners, respectively. The study concluded that an excessive focus on financial gain makes young women more vulnerable to manipulation and more likely to enter into precarious relationships with wealthy partners without concern for the origin of the wealth. The research recommended that young women prioritize financial empowerment via skill acquisition, entrepreneurship, and education. Diverse entities, including family-related, government, educational institutions, and religious leaders, must collaborate to educate society about such detrimental behaviours and fall prey to them. The study highlights the importance of assessing both social, economic and personal factors that lead to young women being victims of ritual killings. Therefore, initiatives to safeguard young women from abuse and structural improvements for a safer society must be devised.