BY RITA OYIBOKA
It’s often said that, on average, a person will cross paths with 36 murderers in their lifetime. But how does one spot a killer on the street? The stereotypical mind might conjure images of gruff, shadowy figures lurking on street corners, their faces hardened by crime and addiction. But reality often plays the cruelest trick, it teaches us that killers don’t always fit a mold.
Take Ayomide Adeleye, for instance. At just 23, this philosophy student from Olabisi Onabanjo University, the very picture of youthful civilization, is accused of not only murdering his friend but also allegedly killing his girlfriend and sister. Then there’s Goodluck Bison, the seemingly harmless 15-year-old who turned into a nightmare—sexually assaulting and viciously attacking a 14-year-old girl, leaving her for dead. And let’s not forget the recent shocker: Timileyin Ajayi, a gospel singer whose voice once inspired faith, now making headlines as an alleged murderer.
The truth is as unsettling as it is undeniable: killers walk among us, their faces sometimes bearing no more menace than a neighbour’s friendly smile. What’s scarier than a murderer in plain sight? The fact that we may never see them coming.
Ajayi, whose single God of the Earth gained some recognition in 2020, was arrested on a fateful Sunday evening in Nasarawa State. In a shocking turn of events, he was found carrying the severed head of his supposed girlfriend, 24-year-old Salome Adaidu, a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member. Her dismembered remains were later discovered at his residence. The crime has sent shockwaves through the nation, but it also raises critical questions about what leads individuals to commit such heinous acts.
How Killers Are Made
According to the Nasarawa State Police spokesperson, Rahman Nansel, Ajayi’s arrest came after a motorcyclist noticed blood dripping from his luggage. Alarmed, the motorcyclist raised the alarm, attracting a crowd.
A chilling confession captured on camera, showed him admitting to the murder, citing infidelity as his motive. According to him, the relationship had soured due to alleged cheating by Adaidu. His statement, devoid of remorse, has left many questioning what could have led to this horrific act.
The Timileyin Ajayi case is not an anomaly. In recent years, Nigeria has witnessed an alarming rise in violent crimes, including ritual killings, often linked to desperation for quick wealth. In 2024 alone, several high-profile cases shocked the nation. From Ayomide Adeleye, a university undergraduate, who allegedly murdered his friend, girlfriend and sister, to Yusuf Adinohi, caught with eight human skulls in Ondo State, the narrative is eerily similar: young people, driven by greed, peer pressure, or misguided beliefs, committing unspeakable acts.
But what creates a killer?
Youths Overwhelmed With Responsibilities – Adeboye
Pastor Raphael Olize of the Loveworld Incorporated in Ibadan, Oyo State shared with The Pointer that the relentless pressure to succeed can be overwhelming, often pushing individuals toward gruesome paths in pursuit of promised wealth. “Young people are overwhelmed. Some are expected to support entire families while battling their challenges. Without proper guidance, some turn to desperate measures, including crime and ritual killings. Some pastors and spiritual leaders even exploit vulnerable individuals, encouraging them to seek solutions in dangerous rituals. ”
Adebayo also pointed to spiritual emotiness as a cause. “Without a sense of accountability to God or society, individuals including so-called gospel artistes and even alleged men of God are more likely to succumb to base instincts and external pressures.”
There’s No Born-Killer – Nzewi
Meanwhile, Mental Health and Relationship Counsellor, Mrs. Ogechukwu Nzewi expressed concern over the stigma surrounding mental health in Nigeria. “No one is born a killer. Many people don’t seek help for anger issues or emotional trauma because they fear being labelled as weak or ‘mad.’ In Ajayi’s case, his lack of remorse suggests a disconnection from reality. Over time, unresolved anger can fester, leading to violent outbursts.”
Nkechi recalled a similar case of a young man who attacked his landlord over a rent dispute. “He later admitted he had been battling depression and frustration from being unemployed. These cases show the importance of creating safe spaces for people to express their emotions and seek help.”
Social Media Can Be Dangerous – Ikolomi
In today’s hyper-connected world, social media has become a double-edged sword. While it offers countless benefits, it has also normalised crime and violence. Graphic videos depicting real-life murders and wealth by questionable means flood the digital space, creating a culture of desensitisation.
Head of the National Orientation Agency (NOA) in Delta State, Mrs. Tracy Ikolomi, highlights this issue: “Social media is a powerful tool, but in the wrong hands, it’s dangerous. Young people are constantly exposed to images of crime and violence, which they begin to see as normal. It’s a dangerous trend that must be curbed.”
Ikolomi adds that the portrayal of success by Nigerian elites often exacerbates the problem. “When leaders flaunt wealth without accountability, it sends a message that integrity doesn’t pay. Young people see this and feel justified in seeking quick riches, even if it involves crime.”
Moving Forward: What Can Be Done?
The Timileyin Ajayi case and others like it underscore the urgent need for action. It starts with the family unit, as Pastor Raphael Olize points out. “Parents must take responsibility. Know your children, guide them, and don’t delegate moral upbringing to schools or religious institutions.”
Schools and community organisations also have a role to play. Mrs. Ikolomi advocates for stronger mentorship programmes. “We need to show young people positive role models. Let them see that success achieved through hard work and integrity is possible.”
It’s a chilling truth that a woman is more likely to face physical abuse, sexual violence, or even lose her life at the hands of a relative or partner than a stranger. While Salome Adaidu’s death is allegedly linked to ritual killing, there is no denying that thousands of women die daily at the hands of their partners for a litany of reasons.
This reality thrusts the spotlight on domestic abuse and raises a pressing question: where do security agencies stand in tackling this menace before another victim’s tragic story ends in a body bag?
We Never Secured Domestic Violence Conviction Because …- Delta PPRO
In an interview with the Police Public Relations Officer (Delta State Command), SP Edafe Bright revealed that the State Command has been unable to secure any convictions in domestic violence cases primarily due to the reluctance of victims to pursue legal action against the offenders.
In his words: “We cannot deny the prevalence of domestic abuse in the society but the major challenge is stigma. People often wonder how I tell the police that my partner beat me. So often they do not speak up.
“Since I assumed office, we have never secured a conviction for domestic abuse because of the unwillingness of victims to follow through with prosecution.
“The police are unable to record such complaints as they will be questioned about the investigative and prosecutorial actions they took and these steps cannot be taken if the victims are unwilling to cooperate.
“The biggest worry of victims is how they will care for their children if their husband and go to prison. Some even go to the extent of getting an affidavit to withdraw the complaint even in cases of defilement and rape.
“I had a case where a woman came to my office crying profusely that her husband had been physically abusing her for over thirteen years even when she was pregnant with their first child. When she was asked to follow the due process of complaint, arrest, and legal proceedings, she declined saying that all wanted was for the police to warn her husband not to do it again.”
SP Edafe emphasised that victims of domestic abuse should take action against the perpetrator.
Spotting Red Flags
In today’s world of instant gratification, women need to sharpen their instincts when choosing partners. Relationship Counsellor, Mrs. Ogechukwu Nzewi shared: “Quick wealth often comes with quicker tempers and even quicker exits, sometimes fatal ones. A man whose only dream is to “blow” might take desperate measures to achieve it, even if it means using the people closest to him as collateral.”
“Unchecked anger is another red flag women can’t afford to ignore. A man who punches walls today might be punching faces tomorrow. The dangerous combination of a fragile ego and an insatiable hunger for wealth has turned many relationships into ticking time bombs,” she said.
As the nation grieves the tragic loss of Salome Adaidu and calls for justice against her killer, it’s imperative that we take a hard look at the society we are constructing. Are we fostering a generation that reveres life and integrity, or are we unwittingly nurturing a culture where desperation and violence are the order of the day? The truth is, the future of our society hangs in the balance, and the choice we make today will echo in the minds of tomorrow. Let’s not allow Salome’s death to be just another statistic; let it be a wake-up call for change.
