What was supposed to be a simple birthday shout-out spiraled into a nightmare no one saw coming.
A young Nigerian woman has broken her silence after discovering that her own brother allegedly lured and murdered her close friend in a case now shaking social media.
According to her emotional account, everything started when she celebrated her friend Rita’s birthday online. That single post, she said, caught the attention of her brother, who instantly expressed interest in the young woman and asked for her contact.
Out of caution, she refused—until Rita herself later agreed they could talk directly.
But things quickly took a disturbing turn.
The brother allegedly pushed for a paid meetup. Rita reportedly quoted a fee and planned to see him after returning from a trip. Days later, she called to say she had arrived in town and was on her way to meet him.
That was the last normal conversation.
That same night, both Rita and the brother suddenly went silent. Calls went unanswered. Then came a shocking call from the brother, accusing the two friends of trying to scam him and claiming Rita had disappeared with his money.
Minutes later, strange messages were sent from Rita’s phone—messages her friend immediately knew were fake.
“I knew instantly something was wrong,” she said.
Fear deepened the next day when the brother asked her to help locate Rita’s house, followed by threatening calls from unknown numbers warning her to “produce Rita or die.”
Soon after, ransom demands began—using Rita’s phone.
They asked for money but refused to let anyone hear Rita’s real voice.
When a frightened female voice briefly came on the line begging for help, it was clear something was terribly wrong.
Rita’s family eventually paid large sums in ransom. But it was already too late.
Weeks later, police arrested the brother, who allegedly confessed and led officers to a forest where Rita’s remains were found. Authorities say he also admitted selling her phone, staging fake ransom payments, and working with accomplices who are still on the run.
Now in custody, the case has ignited nationwide outrage—raising fresh fears about ritual crimes, betrayal, and how easily trust can turn deadly.
One birthday post. One familiar face. One irreversible loss.