The Federal Government and key stakeholders have been urged to take urgent and decisive action to address the alarming rise in the killing of girls for money rituals in Nigeria.
This call was made in a statement issued on Tuesday by Mr. Sunday Oyinloye, a media executive and publisher of Green Savannah Diplomatic Cable. He emphasized that the increasing cases of ritual killings not only threaten the safety of Nigerian girls but also tarnish the country’s global reputation.
Oyinloye attributed the rise in these heinous acts to the failure of all levels of government and relevant stakeholders to effectively tackle the issue. He further decried the growing trend among Nigerian youths who, instead of pursuing legitimate means of livelihood, have turned to ritual killings as a perceived shortcut to wealth.
A Three-Year Campaign for Justice
Oyinloye revealed that his organization has been actively campaigning against ritual killings since January 2022, but lamented that it has remained a solo effort despite the risks involved.
“When my organization started this campaign in 2022 and released a jingle, the then Minister of Information, Mr. Lai Mohammed, assured that the Federal Government would embark on a massive awareness campaign against ritual killings. However, to date, no such initiative has been implemented, leaving me to fight this cause alone,” he stated.
Determined to push the campaign to the grassroots, Oyinloye disclosed that his organization has translated its jingles from English into Nigeria’s three major languages and has started airing them on radio.
Call for Traditional and Religious Leaders to Speak Out
The media executive stressed the crucial role of traditional rulers and religious leaders in combating ritual killings, urging them to use their influence to condemn the practice.
“Traditional rulers and religious leaders can no longer remain silent while Nigerian girls are being slaughtered like animals by misguided youths who refuse to embrace legitimate work,” he said.
He further advised Nigerian youths to reject the pursuit of wealth through evil and unlawful means, emphasizing that hard work, innovation, and legitimate businesses remain the only sustainable paths to success.
“It is shocking that young girls are being murdered, and their body parts sold at ridiculous prices. This is not only insane but also devilish. Taking another person’s life in the name of making money is a crime that must be completely eradicated,” Oyinloye stated.
Advocating for Tougher Punishments
To deter future occurrences, Oyinloye recommended the death penalty without the option of imprisonment for those convicted of ritual killings. He also commended the Nigerian Police Force for their efforts in tackling the menace and called for stronger public support for law enforcement agencies.
Furthermore, he praised the Emir of Ilorin, Dr. Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, for taking a bold stance against ritual killings. The Emir was the first traditional ruler in Nigeria to issue a directive instructing Imams to preach against ritual killings during Friday sermons.
“The Emir of Ilorin has written his name in gold by not only condemning ritual killings but also taking concrete action against it. If other traditional rulers follow his example, this evil practice can be eradicated,” Oyinloye stated.
He reaffirmed his commitment to protecting Nigerian girls from ritual killings and vowed to continue his campaign until the practice is completely eliminated.
