The police have arrested a gospel singer who frequently preaches “self-help” with the decapitated head of his girlfriend.
Authorities arrested Oluwatimileyin Ajayi, who has also been talking about resilience on social media, in Orozo, a border community between Abuja and Nasarawa State. They alleged that he murdered his girlfriend.
Ajayi’s arrest followed a dramatic chain of events at a church’s thanksgiving service marking the end of a seven-day fast. Caleb Umaru, the church’s Bible Study Teacher, narrated how the suspect’s suspicious movements caught the attention of a member, Brother Victor, who saw him carrying a black nylon bag near a river adjacent to the church. Victor alerted another member, Brother Amos, and together, they observed Ajayi.
During the final prayers around 11 a.m., Victor noticed Ajayi throwing the bag into the river. When confronted, Ajayi claimed the bag contained nothing. However, his evasive behavior raised further suspicion.
Shortly after, two motorcyclists arrived, one of whom revealed he had transported Ajayi from Loko-Tiye earlier that day and noticed blood dripping from the bag. This revelation spurred the church members and bikemen to confront Ajayi. After initially denying any wrongdoing, Ajayi attempted to flee but was captured following a prolonged chase into a nearby bush.
The ‘self-help’ thesis and gruesome discovery
Upon retrieving the bag, its contents revealed a severed head, later identified as that of Ajayi’s girlfriend. Ajayi, injured during the scuffle, confessed to the crime, claiming he was trying “self help.”
Sources said e claimed an argument over his girlfriend’s phone escalated when she allegedly attacked him with a knife. In what he described as self-defense, he retaliated by stabbing her in the neck. However, his explanation left many unanswered questions.
In a video recorded at the scene, a policeman interrogated Ajayi, asking why he carried the head. Ajayi alleged that “a woman” instructed him to bring it, though he provided no further details.
Ajayi’s Social Media persona
Ajayi’s social media profiles paint a starkly different picture of his personality. Known for posting motivational messages and videos promoting “self-help” and personal growth, his arrest has left his followers in disbelief. “God helps those who help themselves,” one of his posts read. In another video, he questioned those who believe in “destiny helpers” summiting that ther3e are no destiny helpers anywhere, hence they should help themselves.
Ajayi’s case is reminiscent of other grisly crimes in Nigeria. In 2021, Uduak Akpan, who lured a young woman, Iniobong Umoren, to her death under the pretense of a job interview, was sentenced to death. Similarly, in South Africa, the 2020 murder of Tshegofatso Pule, a pregnant woman, sparked widespread outrage and calls for justice.
Globally, cases of violent crimes involving intimate partners have been linked to psychological issues and societal pressures. The prevalence of such crimes raises urgent questions about mental health awareness and the role of law enforcement in deterring violence.
Reactions from experts and activists
Security expert Umar Bello described the case as a wake-up call for communities to remain vigilant. “This crime underscores the importance of identifying early signs of violent tendencies,” he said. However, Linda Okoro, a psychologist, attributed such acts to deep-seated anger and unresolved trauma. “The veneer of religiosity often masks underlying psychological issues,” she noted.
From Funmi Adebayo’s sociological perspective, such cases happen from societal pressures. She also blamed lack of effective conflict resolution mechanisms as contributing factors. “The glorification of dominance and toxic masculinity fuels such crimes,” she argued, calling for more robust community support systems.
The public has reacted with horror and disbelief to Ajayi’s alleged crime. Social media users have called for justice for the victim, whose identity is yet to be fully disclosed. Human rights activist Aisha Mohammed tweeted, “This tragic incident is a stark reminder of the violence women face daily. Justice must prevail.”
Ajayi’s case highlights a broader issue of domestic violence and gender-based crimes in Nigeria. Statistics reveal an alarming rise in such incidents, with the National Bureau of Statistics reporting over 7,000 cases of domestic violence in 2023 alone.
Analysts say this case has reignited the need for stronger laws, better mental health support, and community-based initiatives to prevent similar tragedies.
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