As a result of the current trend of alleged pants’ theft by suspected ritualists occurring presently in several places nationwide, female folks resident in Ilorin, Kwara State capital, have devised strategies to safeguard themselves from becoming victims of such nefarious acts.
For some time, there have been reports that some ritualists, also known as ‘ Yahoo boys ’, have been stealing female underwear, occasionally at gunpoint. Although the claims have not been substantiated, the reports have instilled fear and panic in the hearts of women folk.
Some women, who spoke to Leadership reporter, said they protect themselves by going pantless. An Ilorin-based businesswoman, Joy Ololade, confirmed that some female folks now go out without pants for fear of falling prey to ritualists.
On her part, Ololade said she has stopped drying her pants outside and no longer entertains visitors to prevent her underwear from being stolen.
“I dry my pants inside my room and make sure that they are not close to the door or window. Again, I don’t welcome friends in my room anymore. I know some people who don’t wear their pants anymore, but nothing can stop me from putting on my pants.”
Similarly, an office secretary, Confidence Oyagbola, vowed not to wear pants again, urging the female folks to be vigilant and prayerful so as not to fall victim. Before now, I never liked wearing pants because they give me rashes and with the latest crime trend, I won’t wear them again.
A legal practitioner in the state, Vic Badmus, corroborated the fact that some women have stopped wearing pants as preventive measure against the evil. “I can’t deceive you, there is fire on the mountain, many of us now go pantless even without tight.
The news of ritualists using ladies’ pants for rituals is scary, though it is not pronounced in Kwara State. As for me, I can’t imagine myself stepping out of my door without pant, I can’t go out without it,” she stressed.
On her part, a student of Kwara State University (KWASU), Malete, Ayomikun Sandra, said she has stopped exposing her under wear as measure to keep them safe. “I don’t dry my undies outside. I wash and dry them in my room. I don’t like exposing my undies,” she stated.