Residents Decry Rising Ritual Killings, Demand Urgent Action
Lokoja, Kogi State – Residents across Kogi, Nasarawa, and Niger states have raised concerns over the increasing cases of ritual killings in the country, urging security agencies and government stakeholders to intensify efforts to curb the menace.
Speaking to journalists on Wednesday in Lokoja, Kogi residents described the trend as alarming and a significant threat to national development. Many attributed the rise in ritual killings to greed, the desperation for quick wealth, moral decay, and weak parental guidance.
Calls for Stronger Law Enforcement
Idris Miliki-Abdul, Executive Director of Conscience for Human Rights and Conflicts Resolution (CHRCR), stressed the importance of enforcing existing laws to deter criminal elements. He also advocated for stronger collaboration between conventional security agencies and local security outfits such as Amotekun, hunters’ groups, and vigilantes.
“Beyond law enforcement, increased awareness and value reorientation are crucial to tackling this issue,” Miliki-Abdul stated.
Similarly, Eleojo Opaluwa, a doctoral student in Criminology and Security Studies at the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), lamented the resurgence of ritual killings. He blamed the trend on societal acceptance of illicit wealth and a lack of parental scrutiny over their children’s financial sources.
“The society is on a dangerous path. We need to hold security agencies accountable, as some officers compromise investigations by accepting bribes to free suspects,” Opaluwa warned. He called for regional security engagement and the involvement of traditional rulers to combat the menace.
Economic Hardship and the Rise of Ritual Killings
Simeone Oyiguh, Chairman of the Central Coordinating Committee of Kogi East Neighborhood Watch (KENW), linked the rise in ritual killings to economic hardship and unchecked greed. He urged the government to create job opportunities for the youth to reduce desperation-driven crimes.
Oyiguh further emphasized intelligence gathering as a crucial strategy in curbing the criminal activities of ritualists and their accomplices, including traditional witch doctors.
“There should be more sensitization, particularly for young girls who are often targeted by ritualists,” he added.
Dare Olukaiyeja, an elder statesman, echoed these sentiments, highlighting the role of societal values and family structures in fueling the problem. “When mothers celebrate the ill-gotten wealth of their children, what do we expect? In some states, there are even associations of ‘Yahoo’ mothers who openly support internet fraudsters,” he lamented.
Legal and Social Reforms Needed
Nuhu Mohammed, Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission (Kogi State), pointed out that beyond poverty and desperation, peer influence and weak law enforcement have worsened the situation. He called for specialized training for security operatives to tackle cybercrime and identify ritualists’ spiritual accomplices.
Meanwhile, Idris Muriana, Chairperson of Kogi NGO’s Network (KONGONET), emphasized the need for stricter movie regulations to prevent the glamorization of ritual killings. He also criticized political elites for patronizing shrines and traditional rituals, which indirectly legitimize such practices.
“Government must clamp down on fake clerics, herbalists, and native doctors who promote this ‘get-rich-or-die-trying’ culture,” Muriana stated.
Community and Governmental Efforts
In Nasarawa State, residents underscored the role of parents in shaping moral values. Aisha Mohammed, a Lafia resident, stressed the need for families to instill the sanctity of human life in their children.
“Proper parenting is key. Parents must ensure their children understand the value of human dignity,” she said.
Similarly, John Ogah, another resident, advocated for improved access to education, healthcare, and economic empowerment as preventive measures against ritual killings.
In Niger State, security expert Abdullahi Jabbi called for robust policy reforms to tackle the growing menace. He urged governments at all levels to prioritize social security interventions and youth employment to curb criminal activities.
“If economic survival isn’t guaranteed, people will resort to criminality. The government must create policies that provide genuine means of livelihood for vulnerable citizens,” Jabbi emphasized.
He also advised security agencies to step up their game by conducting intelligence-driven operations to apprehend perpetrators.
As concerns mount over ritual killings, stakeholders agree that a combination of strict law enforcement, moral reorientation, and economic empowerment is necessary to combat the crisis. The time for decisive action is now.
