The shocking murder of Deborah Moses Okwori, allegedly at the hands of her ex-lover, Lintex Ogale, in Lagos, has once again drawn attention to the alarming rise of relationship-related killings in Nigeria.

The 23-year-old interior designer, popularly known as Deb’rah Porsche, is the latest victim in a disturbing trend where young women lose their lives to men they once trusted. Her death has sparked widespread outrage and mourning across the country.

For more than a decade, Nigeria has witnessed an unsettling wave of femicides linked to intimate or toxic relationships. From Abuja to Lagos, Benue to Nasarawa, tragic cases abound of women who never made it out alive.

A recent report by UN Women and the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) revealed that 140 women and girls die every day globally at the hands of their partner or a close relative—equivalent to one woman killed every 10 minutes. Released on the 25th anniversary of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, the report highlights the urgent need to confront femicide as a global crisis.

A Timeline of Notorious Cases in Nigeria

2012: The Cynthia Osokogu Case
Cynthia Udoka Osokogu, a postgraduate student, was lured through Facebook to Lagos under the pretense of a business meeting. She was drugged, assaulted, robbed, raped, and strangled in a hotel room. Her killers were later convicted, but her story remains a chilling example of betrayal in the digital era.

2017: NAF Personnel Kills Lover in Benue
In Makurdi, a Nigerian Air Force officer fatally shot his colleague and lover, Oladipupo Solape, in a jealous rage. The 21-year-old, fondly called “Shomzy Shomzy,” was mourned nationwide.

May 2018: Lover’s Corpse in a Sack
In Lagos, spare parts dealer Isaiah Chukwu was arrested for allegedly murdering his 26-year-old live-in partner, Joy, hiding her remains in a bin sealed inside a sack. A passing cleric discovered the crime.

May 2022: The Maria Ali Case
In Abuja, Maria Ali, 31, was killed by her ex-boyfriend, Ben, after ending their decade-long relationship. Despite their separation, he harassed her until the day he allegedly lured her into his car and took her life.

December 2022: The Ijeoma Felix Murder
Police in Abuja arrested Edeh Tochukwu for killing 48-year-old Ijeoma Felix (widely known as Phyllis Ijeoma on Facebook) during a heated argument. He struck her with a pestle, stole her car and belongings, and later sold them for ₦1.7 million.

May 2022: Ayobo Hotel Killing
In Lagos, Amos Daniel was taken into custody for allegedly murdering a woman believed to be his girlfriend in a hotel room after guests reported suspicious noises.

October 2024: The Death of Priscilla Ocheme
The family of 24-year-old Priscilla Ocheme, from Idoma, was left devastated after she died under suspicious circumstances while visiting her boyfriend in Abuja. The suspect claimed it was an accident, but doubts linger.

2024: Justice for Salome Adaidu
In Lafia, a High Court sentenced gospel singer Oluwatimileyin Ajayi to death by hanging for killing and dismembering his girlfriend, Salome Adaidu, a 24-year-old corps member. The brutality of the act shocked the nation.

September 2025: The Murder of Deborah Moses Okwori
The nation now mourns Deborah Okwori, who was allegedly stabbed to death in Lagos by her ex-lover, Lintex Ogale, after he reportedly failed to accept the end of their relationship.

Calls for Urgent Action

Human rights lawyer, Barrister Enewa Grace Adanu, condemned the killings, describing them as more than isolated crimes but “gender-targeted violence.”

“Women are not possessions that men can discard when a relationship ends. Security agencies must act decisively. Nigeria needs stronger laws, faster prosecutions, and special courts dedicated to gender-based violence,” she said.

Activist Meddy Olotu, who first raised alarm about Deborah’s killing, urged women to prioritize safety over societal expectations to remain in toxic relationships.

“No relationship is worth your life. If a man threatens or abuses you, that is not love—it’s a red flag. Walk away before it’s too late.”

UN Women Executive Director, Sima Bahous, stressed that Deborah’s death underscores the danger of silence in the face of abuse.

“Violence against women and girls is not inevitable—it is preventable. Governments must strengthen laws, improve accountability, and support women’s rights organizations. Urgent global action is needed to end this crisis once and for all.”