Ritual killings: The dark allure of quick money

BY NICHOLAS DECHI

In the shadows of our society, a sinister trend has emerged, luring vulnerable individuals with promises of quick wealth and power. Ritual killings, often fuelled by superstition and greed, have claimed countless lives, leaving families shattered and communities traumatized.

Almost on daily basis, social and conventional media are replete with stories and videos of gruesome murders in the name of rituals for money.

These killings are not just isolated crimes; they represent a deeper rot within the societal fabric, where desperation, ignorance, and misinformation collide with terrifying consequences.

The perpetrators are not always the stereotypical cultists portrayed in folklore; they can be neighbours, acquaintances, or even respected members of society who have fallen prey to the dangerous allure of quick success.

Experts warn that the pursuit of easy riches, often glamorised in popular culture and social media, can be as deadly as it is illusory.

Victims of ritual killings span across age, gender, and socioeconomic backgrounds; some are kidnapped, while others are deceived under the guise of help, love, or employment.

According to Mr Barnabas Ityo, a psychologist, the desire for quick money and power can becloud judgment, leading individuals to engage in harmful activities.

Ityo said that people in emotionally unstable or economically deprived states were especially susceptible to manipulation by ritualistic groups or self-proclaimed spiritualists.

“The belief in supernatural wealth and invincibility through sacrifice stems from a potent mix of fear, cultural indoctrination, and the human craving for control over destiny. “In these cases, individuals feel a sense of urgency to change their lives fast; that urgency becomes a fertile ground for dangerous decisions.

“Mental health education and counselling should be woven into community development programmes to curb this psychological vulnerability,” Ityo said.

A Guidance Counsellor, Mrs Ngohemba Akighir, highlights the correlation between poverty and the rise in ritual killings, explaining that when legitimate paths to wealth seem blocked or too slow, individuals become more likely to explore dubious alternatives.

“With youth unemployment at alarming levels, many young people begin to feel disillusioned about their future.

“When the economic system fails, superstition and shortcuts become more appealing.

“Entrepreneurship support, vocational training, and micro-loans could provide alternatives to ritualistic get-rich-quick schemes,” Akighir said.

A communications expert, Mr Edward Himin, points to the dangerous role social media plays in spreading narratives around ritual killings.

“Social media platforms do amplify the reach of ritualistic groups, making it easier for them to recruit vulnerable individuals.

“Stories of so-called ‘yahoo boys’ who gained sudden wealth are frequently shared online, often accompanied by unverified claims of ritual practices.

“There is the need for media literacy programmes in schools to teach young people how to question and analyse the content they consume online.

“The internet should not become a portal to destruction; instead, it must be reclaimed as a space for learning and progress.

“The effects of ritual killings on communities are devastating, creating a climate of fear and paranoia that disrupts everyday life,” Himin said .

Mr James Adaga, a community leader in Makurdi, says when communities are hit by a wave of ritual killings, it created a climate of fear and mistrust. Adaga stated that parents will begin to keep their children indoors after school, and communal activities dwindled due to anxiety over safety.

“We need to come together to support each other and find ways to prevent further incidents.

“In some areas, neighbourhood patrols and town meetings are initiated as a grass- roots response to insecurity,” Adaga said.

A retired security personnel, Mr Valentine Afia, suggests a range of interventions to address this growing menace, with prevention being at the core.

Afia said that job creation and small business support could reduce the desperation that drives people toward criminality.

“Public campaigns can debunk myths surrounding ritualistic wealth and promote critical thinking.

“Strong communities with shared values and mutual trust are less likely to harbour such crimes.

“Proper investigation, prosecution, and deterrent penalties are necessary to send a strong message to offenders.

“Ritual killings are a symptom of deeper societal issues, including poverty, inequality, and lack of access to education and job opportunities.

Relatedly, a social crusader, Mr Vincent Ipavwua, said that the prevention started with giving people hope and showing them that they do not need to destroy lives to improve theirs.

Ipavwua stated that communities must come together to support each other and reject the allure of quick money, echoing a common sentiment among grassroots activists.