Connect with us

NEWS

The Rise of Ritual Killings Amidst Declining Moral Values.

Published

on

Share

Rituals, as defined by the Cambridge Dictionary, are a set of actions or words performed regularly, often as part of a religious ceremony.

The Oxford Dictionary defines killing as the act of causing death, especially deliberately.

By these definitions, ritual killing can be understood as the deliberate act of taking another person’s life as part of either a religious or supernatural practice.

Disturbed by the rising cases of ritual killings in Nigeria, the House of Representatives in 2020 called on the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency to curb the trend.

The then Deputy Minority Leader, Toby Okechukwu, also urged the then Inspector General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba, to “take urgent steps to increase surveillance and intelligence gathering” to curb the menace through arrest and prosecution of perpetrators.

Additionally, the National Orientation Agency (NOA) was tasked with initiating a nationwide awareness campaign to address the issue.

However, three years later, ritual killings have not only persisted but have seemingly become more frequent, particularly among young people.

According to the National Bureau of Statistics, over 150 ritual killing cases -often linked to youths seeking quick wealth– were recorded in just six months.

These alarming incidents have raised concerns about the moral decay and future leadership of Nigeria.

Similarly, statistics from the Nigerian Police paint a grim picture of the crisis:

On Nov. 6, in Imo, a pastor was reportedly caught attempting to kill a woman after already murdering another and removing her genitals.

In Kogi, a 20-year-old man was arrested on Sept.4 for killing a 19-year-old university student and removed some of her body parts.

On Dec. 22, in Ogun State, a 45-year-old suspected ritualist, was found with a fresh human head and dismembered body parts of a female victim in Abeokuta.

In Cross River, a 29-year-old man, allegedly killed his mother, shaved her hair, and dumped her body in a well.

On Aug.10, Police in Oyo State arrested eight suspected serial ritual killers and recovered three mutilated unidentified female bodies.

In September in Lagos State, a 16-year-old boy  lured a four-year-old child into a bush, strangled him and removed his intestines, and private organs.

While on Oct. 1, in Kwara, police discovered the corpse of a teenage girl with her two eyes removed in Ilorin.

Stakeholders have identified several key factors contributing to the rise in the orgy of ritual killings including:

Among these, is poverty and unemployment factor. They said the economic crisis had driven many young people to desperate and criminal acts.

They similarly said the get-rich-quick mentality, where the glamorisation of sudden wealth often portrayed in the social media, had the propensity of pushing  individuals to seek supernatural means of acquiring money.

According to them, the weak law and failure of security agencies to swiftly investigate and prosecute offenders have emboldened criminals.

The stakeholders also listed the factor of societal decadence where some traditional and religious leaders either remained silent or had become complicit in these practices.

Most importantly, they attributed the breakdown of family structure, resulting in the lack of proper parental guidance to the moral decline among youth.

Security expert, Mr Seyi Babaeko, Managing Director of Absolute Security and Advance Protocol Ltd., described the rise in ritual killings as a reflection of deeper socio-economic and cultural issues.

“The desperation for wealth, belief in supernatural influences, and erosion of moral values have fueled this menace,” he said.

Badeko urged government to among others strengthen the criminal justice system for swift prosecution of offenders.

“Government needs to intensify intelligence gathering and surveillance to dismantle ritual killing networks.

“It should launch public enlightenment campaigns to debunk the belief that human sacrifice brings wealth, as well as prioritise job creation to reduce the desperation driving individuals toward crime.”

Another security expert, Mr Christopher Oji, emphasised that ritual killings, particularly among cyber fraudsters (popularly known as Yahoo boys) had  become disturbingly normalised in the Nigerian  society.

“You see a 17-year-old boy driving a N30 million car, and nobody questions his source of income,’ he said.

He blamed government negligence and societal indifference for the rising cases, adding that many missing persons in Nigeria were likely victims of ritual killings.

Oji urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission(EFCC) to scrutinise the sources of wealth among young people.

“The EFCC should go beyond cybercrime investigations and begin questioning  the sudden wealth of individuals, especially youths.”

The Chief Operating Officer of DOHS Care Foundation, Mrs Ololade Ajayi, took to her X (formerly Twitter) handle. @OlolaTohRhea, to highlight how ritual killings often targeted women and girls.

“This reflects violent commodification of female bodies. Women are often lured by individuals intending to either use their genitals or breasts for rituals,” she stated.

Ajayi called for stricter laws and justice for victims, emphasising that femicide(the intentional killing of women due to gender motives) must be addressed urgently.

A cleric, Pastor Victor Oke of the Assemblies of God Church, Oyobo, attributed the rise in ritual killings  to the loss of respect for human life.

” Human life is sacred. No one has the divine mandate to take another person’s life for ritual purposes,” he said.

Oke urged Nigerians to report suspicious activities to law enforcement agencies and work collectively to end the menace.

The stakeholders agree that addressing ritual killings requires a multi-pronged approach.

They urged government’s urgent intervention in the areas of strengthening law enforcement, judicial reforms and job creation.

They similarly called on traditional and faith leaders to at all times, publicly condemn ritual killings and emphasise ethical success.

They also urged parents to instill strong moral values in children  to discourage illegal means of acquiring wealth.

According to them, social media have the responsibility of using their platforms to actively counter content that glorifies sudden and unexplained wealth.

All in all, stakeholders agree that addressing the root causes of ritual killings in Nigeria requires a collective effort, with both the government and individuals playing a crucial role in finding lasting solutions.(NANFeatures)

Health

NCDC Warns of Cholera Surge, Gives Updates on Other Outbreaks

Published

on

Share

 The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has issued a public health advisory following a significant surge in cholera cases across 30 Local Government Areas (LGAs) in nine states.

During a media briefing in Abuja on Friday, the Director-General of the NCDC, Dr                    Jide Idris, expressed concern over the rising number of cholera infections as the rainy season begins.

He warned that the situation posed a serious public health threat.

“As of April 28, 2025, over 1,141 suspected cholera cases and 30 deaths have been reported across multiple states, with Bayelsa, Lagos, Abia, and Zamfara among the most affected,” he said.

Idris attributed the outbreak to poor sanitation, inadequate access to clean water, and widespread open defecation.

He said the NCDC was working in collaboration with state governments, the Federal Ministry of Water Resources, and development partners to strengthen surveillance, improve access to oral rehydration therapy, and promote hygiene education.

On Lassa fever, he reported a decline in weekly cases but warned that the disease remained persistent in endemic states such as Edo, Ondo, and Bauchi.

“We must not relax. The virus is still circulating in the rodent population,” he cautioned.

He also noted continued transmission of Mpox, with recent cases reported in Lagos, Rivers, and the Federal Capital Territory.

“While no deaths have been recorded in the past month, the virus continues to spread through close contact,” he added.

On Cerebrospinal Meningitis (CSM), Idris stated that outbreaks had occurred in Sokoto, Kebbi, and Yobe states, predominantly affecting children and young adults.

He said vaccination campaigns were underway in high-burden areas, supported by the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) and Gavi.

Idris further emphasised the urgent need for the rational use of antibiotics in managing the ongoing outbreaks, warning that misuse, particularly in cholera and Lassa fever treatment, could worsen antimicrobial resistance (AMR).

“We must remind our health workers and communities that not every illness requires antibiotics.

“Inappropriate use during outbreaks is a silent pandemic that could undermine our ability to treat infections in the future,” he warned.

He urged Nigerians to adopt preventive measures such as regular hand washing, proper waste disposal, and early medical attention when symptoms of any of the listed diseases were observed.

“Public health is a shared responsibility,” Idris said, calling on the media and civil society groups to support risk communication and community engagement efforts

Continue Reading

General News

FRSC Gets New Sector Commander in Osun 

Published

on

Share

 The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has appointed Mr Leye Adegboyega as the new Sector Commander for Osun RS11.1 Command.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Adegboyega, who assumed on on May 2, took over from Mr Taofeeq Sokumbi , who has been redeployed.

NAN further reports that the new sector commander until his appointment was the Zonal Head of Operations at Zone RS11 Command Headquarters, Osogbo.

He was was enlisted into the service of the Federal Road Safety Corps on Nov. 1, 1993, and was appointed as the Personal Assistant to the Director of Operations, a post he held till 1998.

Adegboyega was later redeployed and appointed the pioneer Principal Staff Officer (PSO) to the erstwhile Acting Corps Marshal and Chief Executive of the FRSC, Mr Danyaro Yakasai.

In 1999, he was redeployed to the then Department of Planning, Research and Statistics (PRAS) as the Staff Officer (Statistics) and in 2003, he was posted to Imo  Sector Command as Staff Officer (Operations).

The new sector commander was in 2005 redeployed to Owo Unit Command in Ondo State as the Unit Head of Administration and Human Resources, a position he occupied until 2009, as an Assistant Corps Commander l.

After several promotions and awards, he was promoted to his present rank of Corps Commander in April 2022.

The new sector commander was redeployed on April1, 2022 to the Federal Road Safety Command and Staff College, Udi, Enugu State, as Director of Coordination, a position he held till July 2023.

In July 2023, he was redeployed to Zone RS11 Command Headquarters, Osogbo as the Zonal Head of Operations.

Adegboyega was born in Abeokuta on  July 25,  1969, to the family of Late Pa Femi Adeleye and Mrs Felicia Adeleye from Ayetoro in Yewa South Local Government Area of Ogun State.

He attended St. Andrew’s Primary School, Ibara, Abeokuta, from 1974 to 1979 and later proceeded to the prestigious African Church Grammar School, Ita-Eko, Abeokuta, from where he obtained the West African Secondary School Certificate (WASSCE) in 1985.

He bagged a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc) degree in Political Science from the Ogun State University, Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State, in the year 1992  and later did his mandatory one year National Youth Service Corps (NYSC)  in Enugu with the Federal Road Safety Corps.

Adegboyega received commendations for his outstanding performance and was subsequently given automatic employment by the FRSC Management in 1993.

He is married to Mrs Oluwayemisi Elizabeth and the union is blessed with four lovely children.

Continue Reading

JUDICIARY

Court Remands 6 Men Docked Over Alleged Breach of Peace, Unlawful Gathering

Published

on

Share

A Grade A Customary Court at Mapo in Ibadan has remanded six men standing trial for alleged breach of public peace, following their inability to meet their bail conditions.

The defendants are; Ismail Oladipupo, Ridwan Raji, Biodun Gbadamosi, Usman Mohammed, Samuel Olowu and Sunday Akande.

Due to their inability to meet bail, the Court President, Mrs S.

M. Akintayo, ordered that the six defendants be remanded in Abolongo Correctional Centre in Oyo.

Akintayo had admitted each of the defendants to N200,000 bail after they all pleaded not guilty to the three-count charge of conspiracy, unlawful gathering and conduct likely to cause breach of the peace.

The court also ordered that the defendants should provide two reliable sureties, one of whom must be a community leader.

However, the six men could not meet the bail conditions and therefore were remanded at the Abolongo Correctional Centre in Oyo town.

Akintayo subsequently adjourned the suit until June 24 for hearing.

Earlier, the prosecutor, Insp Ayodele Ayeni, had told the court that the defendants committed the offences on April 14, at 12:45 a.m., at Agbaje Market, Ibadan, Oyo State.

Ayeni said that the defendants were arrested after they were caught using various dangerous objects such as cutlasses, broken bottles and stones, daring anybody to confront them.

According to him, the six men by their actions allegedly caused apprehension and fear in the entire community.

He stated that the offences contravened the provisions of Sections 516, 416 and 249 of the Criminal Code Cap 38 vol. II Law of Oyo State 2000

Continue Reading

Read Our ePaper

Top Stories

Health9 hours ago

NCDC Warns of Cholera Surge, Gives Updates on Other Outbreaks

Share The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has issued a public health advisory following a significant surge in...

General News10 hours ago

FRSC Gets New Sector Commander in Osun 

Share The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has appointed Mr Leye Adegboyega as the new Sector Commander for Osun RS11.1 Command....

JUDICIARY11 hours ago

Court Remands 6 Men Docked Over Alleged Breach of Peace, Unlawful Gathering

ShareA Grade A Customary Court at Mapo in Ibadan has remanded six men standing trial for alleged breach of public...

Health12 hours ago

Bayelsa Govt. Seeks Private Schools’ Support on Immunization

ShareThe Bayelsa State Government has called for the cooperation of private school owners and proprietors to effectively implement its executive...

NEWS14 hours ago

Edo Gov Increases Minimum Wage For State Workers

ShareFrom Joseph Ebi Kanjo, Benin  Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State has increased the minimum wage for the state workers...

NEWS19 hours ago

FG Directs Stop to Work on Sagamu-Iperu Road over Poor Quality

Share The Federal Government has directed that work should stop on the 12km Sagamu-Iperu Road by the Sagamu Interchange on...

NEWS19 hours ago

Wike Visits China over Water Project for FCT Satellite Towns

ShareThe Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Mr Nyeson Wike, is enroute to China for a series of official...

NEWS19 hours ago

NSSF urges Robust Policy Reform to Revamp Maternal Health Equity

ShareThe Nigeria Solidarity Support Fund (NSSF) has called for a robust policy reform and financial commitment to revamp maternal health...

NEWS19 hours ago

Osun Amotekun Corps Mourns as Gunmen Kill Operative in Iwo

ShareFrom Ayinde Akintade, Osogbo The Osun State Security Network Agency, codenamed Amotekun Corps, yesterday announced the tragic death of one...

NEWS19 hours ago

CAN Reads Riot Acts to Zonal, State, Local Chapters

ShareBy Laide Akinboade, Abuja The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) yesterday said only the current President of the association, Archbishop...

Copyright © 2021 Daily Asset Limited | Powered by ObajeSoft Inc