Beauty entrepreneur and social media influencer Laura Ikeji has issued an urgent advisory to young women seeking career or financial assistance on social media. Her statement comes amid deep public outrage surrounding the tragic death of 20-year-old Favour Agbro.
Tragic Incident Sparks Warning
Ms Agbro reportedly took her own life after being lured to Asaba and allegedly raped by content creator Ifeanyi Ogbonna, widely known as Odogwu of Asaba. The suspect had allegedly promised to assist her with content monetization training before luring her to a hotel room.
Reacting to the incident in a video address, Laura appealed to women to remain vigilant regarding individuals who offer help through internet platforms. She strongly warned against meeting male benefactors in secluded spaces, stating that any individual demanding an in-person meeting at a hotel or private residence under the guise of rendering assistance likely has predatory motives.
Genuine Help Can Be Remote
Laura emphasized that genuine professional support, mentorship, or financial aid can be safely coordinated remotely or via public spaces. In her words:
“I want to tell you, young 17, 18, 19 year oldsss, there are a lot of bad people on social media. The internet has a lot of bad people. There are a lot of dangerous men on social media, across all the platforms. Sometimes, these people disguise as good people. They come as helpers…They come as mentors. You gat to be careful of where you go, who you talk to, open your DMs to…I understand the pressure…I understand you want to start your life, you want to make so much money, you want to ball like these influencers….My darling, you can ball without going to meet that man, That man is a bad guy.”
She continued: “A man who tells you come to my house let me help you, is not going to help you..If he wants to help you, he will help you via phone. There is nothing he wants to give you that he cannot give you via phone. There is nothing he wants to tell you in his house that he cannot tell you in a public place.”
Public Outrage and Calls for Justice
The incident has sparked widespread condemnation and calls for justice on social media. Many users have shared the story of Favour Agbro as a cautionary tale, urging young women to prioritize their safety over promises of financial gain or career advancement.
Laura Ikeji’s video has been widely shared, with many praising her for speaking out and offering practical advice to vulnerable young women. The influencer, who is also the sister of renowned blogger Linda Ikeji, has built a reputation for empowering women through her beauty brand and social media presence.
This tragic event serves as a stark reminder of the dangers lurking online, particularly for young people desperate to improve their circumstances. Authorities have arrested Ifeanyi Ogbonna, and investigations are ongoing.
