Gruesome or inhuman, the act of ritual killing is dastardly, to put it succinctly. But this cruel act is fast growing as young Nigerians find it an easy route to ‘cash out’.
In view of the threat posed by the mindboggling phenomenon, Africa Health Report’ Southwest correspondent, Korede Abdullah, delves into the alarming rise of ritual killings and internet fraud perpetrated by Nigeria’s notorious Yahoo boys. AHR sheds light on how Nigerian youths took to the bestial act of cold blooded killings for quick rich.
Scourge
The scourge of ritual killings by internet fraudsters, also known as Yahoo boys targeting young women for financial gain, has reached alarming proportions in Nigeria in recent times.
These crimes are committed under the belief that certain body parts of the victims can be used for money rituals, perpetuating a narrative that human sacrifice can yield financial gain.
Nigeria’s alarming rise in ritual killings by Yahoo boys has been linked to the breakdown of family values and structures.
Stakeholders’ Perspectives
According to various stakeholders who spoke with the newspaper, many of these perpetrators come from broken homes, where parental guidance and moral upbringing are lacking.
According to them, in such households, children are often left to fend for themselves, exposed to harmful influences and societal pressures.
They contended that the absence of a stable family environment fosters an atmosphere where get-rich-quick mentalities and moral decay thrive.
Experts argue that the erosion of family values has contributed significantly to the Yahoo boy phenomenon. Without a strong moral compass, young people become vulnerable to the allure of quick wealth and materialism, often through illicit means.
Societal Pressures
The societal pressure to succeed, coupled with the lack of effective parenting, drives some individuals to engage in ritual killings and other forms of violence.
Rebuilding and strengthening family structures, therefore, is crucial to combating Nigeria’s ritual killing epidemic. This requires addressing underlying issues such as poverty, unemployment, and cultural degeneration, as well as promoting values of integrity, hard work, and respect for human life.
The modus operandi of the criminals is that victims usually young girls, are often lured through social media or deceitful relationships, are brutally killed, and their bodies mutilated to extract supposed “valuable” parts.
The frequency and brutality of these crimes have sent shockwaves across the nation, leaving many to question the moral fabric of society. Law enforcement agencies face significant challenges in combating these crimes, as perpetrators often operate in secrecy and exploit vulnerable individuals.
Concerned citizens and activists demand stricter laws and enforcement to curb the menace of internet fraud and related violence.
Meanwhile, experts emphasize the need for public education and awareness campaigns to dispel harmful superstitions surrounding money rituals and human sacrifice, promoting a culture of respect for human life and dignity…..
Concerning Comments
Africa Health Report spoke with some people in Lagos who shared their views on the dangerous phenomenon.
Mrs. SHERIFAT OLUSOLA, a trader has this to say, “As a parent, it’s heartbreaking to see young girls being targeted and killed by these Yahoo boys. The government needs to take decisive action to protect our children,”
Another responder, Alhaji Bashir Ibrahim, who spoke with the newspaper said: “I’m worried about the future of our daughters. These Yahoo boys are like predators, preying on vulnerable girls. We need to educate our children on the dangers of these fraudsters,” .
A housewife, mother of a university student Mrs. BUKOLA OLOWU, advised the appropriate authorities to do more to prevent these senseless killings.” Our girls deserve to live without fear of being harmed by these criminals,” said Mrs Olowu,
Also, a community leader at Ikotun, Lagos, Alhaji JUBRIL BELLO lamented that Yahoo boys menace is a symptom of a larger societal problem. He called on the government to address the problem of poverty and unemployment in the country.
“We need to address the root causes of poverty, unemployment, and moral decay,” said Alhaji Bello.
He added the killings are a stain on Nigerians’ collective conscience. He urged stakeholders to work together to expose and bring these perpetrators to justice.
According to Dr. IDOWU OLUFEMI AMOS, a senior sociology lecturer at Federal University, Lokoja, who, in an exclusive interview, spoke with our correspondent, said the surge in ritual killings by Yahoo boys can be attributed to societal factors, particularly the breakdown of family values. Dr. Amos emphasizes that a stable society begins with intact families, where socialization and moral training are effective.
“Many homes are no longer intact, and parents are too busy seeking financial stability to prioritize their children’s moral upbringing,” Dr. Amos noted. This lack of socialization has led to a generation of young people without a strong moral compass.
According to the don, Nigeria’s comatose value system is another significant contributor to the problem. He also lamented that the obsession with wealth and material possessions has overshadowed moral considerations. “Once you’re rich, nobody questions the source of your wealth,” Dr. Amos observed.
He mentioned that the influence of social media also plays a significant role in promoting get-rich-quick mentalities. Amos criticizes social media platforms for displaying content that promotes nudity and materialism, which young people eagerly consume.
Dr. Amos cited the example of young people flaunting luxury items on social media without legitimate sources of income. “A 21-year-old with a N9m or N20m vehicle raises questions, but parents and society turn a blind eye,” he said.
To address the issue, Dr. Amos advocates for a return to strong family values, moral education, and a revised value system that prioritizes integrity over material wealth. By acknowledging these societal flaws, Nigeria can begin to combat the root causes of ritual killings and Yahoo boys’ activities.
Face of Alleged Killers
It will be recalled that the Kogi State Police Command has apprehended Jeremiah Paul, a 100-level Biology student at Federal University Lokoja, in connection with the murder of his colleague, Abigail Damilola.
According to the police, Jeremiah confessed to kidnapping Damilola and demanding a N400,000 ransom from her family. Despite receiving the payment, he brutally killed her in an uncompleted building.
Jeremiah’s motive for the heinous crime was reportedly to prevent Damilola from escaping and exposing him since she had seen his face.
However, police investigations suggest that Jeremiah’s actions may have been more sinister, as evidence indicates that he may have mutilated Damilola’s body. Jeremiah denies these allegations, claiming he acted alone.
The police tracked down Jeremiah after he contacted Damilola’s family again, demanding an additional N10 million.
The gruesome murder of the Lokoja student, highlights the alarming frequency of violent crimes in Nigeria, many of which are linked to the nefarious activities of Yahoo boys (internet fraudsters).
This tragic incident is merely one among numerous cases that regularly plague the country, underscoring the urgent need for decisive action against these criminal elements and the societal factors that enable their actions.
