Residents of Agwan Sarki Orozo, a community near the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Nasarawa State, were thrown into shock on Monday following the arrest of a suspected internet fraudster, popularly known as a ‘Yahoo boy,’ found with the severed head of his girlfriend.
The unsettling discovery was made by security operatives acting on an intelligence tip-off. The suspect, described as a middle-aged man, was apprehended in an uncompleted building in the area. A polythene bag containing the severed head was reportedly recovered from him.
Details of the arrest were first shared by Eons Intelligence, a security-focused media outlet, on its official X account. “In a shocking and disturbing turn of events, a middle-aged man suspected of being an internet fraudster… has been apprehended by security agents in Agwan Sarki Orozo, Nasarawa State,” the post read.
Further investigation revealed that the man had confessed during interrogation to committing the gruesome act. According to sources, the suspect disclosed that the rest of his girlfriend’s body was concealed at his residence.
News of the incident has sent shockwaves through the community, with many struggling to come to terms with the horrific nature of the crime. “I can’t believe something like this could happen here,” a local resident said, speaking on condition of anonymity. “We are known to be a peaceful community, but this incident has made everyone uneasy.”
The uncompleted building where the suspect was apprehended has since been cordoned off by authorities as investigations continue.
The arrest has reignited discussions around the dark nexus between internet fraud and ritual killings in Nigeria. Over the years, several cases have linked so-called ‘Yahoo boys’ to ritual practices, with claims that some engage in human sacrifices in a bid to achieve financial success.
Despite the widespread public interest, security agencies have remained tight-lipped about the incident. Efforts to get comments from the Nasarawa State Police Command yielded no immediate response. However, a senior officer, speaking off the record, confirmed that the suspect is in custody and that the investigation is ongoing.
“We are working diligently to ensure justice is served,” the officer said. “This is a serious crime, and we will ensure that all those involved are brought to book.”
The incident has sparked outrage on social media, with many calling for stricter measures to curb ritual killings and internet fraud. “How did we get here as a society?” one user lamented on X. “This is beyond horrifying.”
Others expressed concern about the rising influence of materialism and the glorification of quick wealth among the youth. “We need to start addressing the root causes of these crimes, or they will only get worse,” another user wrote.
Advocates have urged the government to strengthen laws against ritual killings and internet fraud while intensifying public awareness campaigns. They also called for improved intelligence gathering and community policing to prevent such crimes from occurring.
Internet fraud, often glamorized in popular culture, has become a pressing issue in Nigeria. The term ‘Yahoo boy’ originated from individuals using Yahoo email accounts for fraudulent activities. Over time, the scope of their activities has expanded to include more sophisticated scams, often targeting foreign victims.
Ritual killings, another dark aspect of the crime, have historically been linked to certain cultural beliefs in Nigeria. While many communities have denounced such practices, the persistence of these crimes suggests that the beliefs still hold sway among some individuals.
