Ondo – Residents of Ikare Junction in Owo Local Government Area of Ondo State apprehended a man identified simply as Joseph on Sunday night, March 1, 2026, after he was found in possession of several items of female underwear concealed in a nylon bag.
A video that went viral on social media captured the moment locals questioned the suspect.
Joseph claimed he had travelled from the Akoko area to Owo in search of employment opportunities.
He stated that he found the underwear at a location where he had gone to bathe and decided to pick them up.
Joseph further claimed that he had earlier encountered a mentally unstable woman with whom he said he had sexual relations, and that the woman handed him the nylon bag containing the items.
Eyewitnesses reported that youths in the area interrogated the suspect about his intentions, accusing him of possible involvement in ritual activities often associated with internet fraud and money-making schemes.
It was gathered that the suspect repeatedly denied the allegations.
The situation reportedly became tense as some angry residents attempted to assault him, but others intervened to prevent the incident from escalating into violence.
No official police statement on the matter has been released as of March 2, 2026, and it remains unclear if the suspect has been handed over to authorities or if further investigation is underway.
Similar Past Cases in Nigeria Involving Possession or Theft of Women’s Underwear
Incidents involving the alleged theft or possession of women’s underwear, often linked by the public to ritual purposes, have occurred in various parts of Nigeria over the years.
These cases frequently spark community outrage and mob actions.
In January 2019, a man identified as Kayode Michael was caught by residents in the Danjuma area of Akure, Ondo State, with a bag containing women’s underwear and sanitary pads.
Locals accused him of ritual intentions, and he was nearly lynched before police intervention.
Also in January 2019, Prophet Olajide Ogunleye, aged 53, was arrested by police in Ondo State alongside others for allegedly attempting to use women’s pants for rituals.
He was paraded at the state police command headquarters in Akure.
In 2018 and 2019, multiple reports emerged across states such as Imo, Lagos, Delta, and Ogun, where young men were arrested or mobbed for stealing female underwear believed to be for money rituals.
These occurrences often tie into broader narratives around internet fraud (“yahoo boys”) and ritual killings in Nigeria, where personal items like underwear are rumoured to be used in charms for wealth or spiritual power.
Authorities and security agencies have repeatedly urged caution against mob justice and called for suspects to be handed over to law enforcement for proper investigation.
