Op-Ed: Cult Killings: Time to End the Reign of Terror by Nu’akofu Uthman Oladimeji

Ilorin, the capital city of Kwara State, is known for its peaceful and harmonious coexistence among its diverse people. It is also a city of learning, culture and commerce, with many attractions and potentials. However, in recent times, Ilorin has been under siege by a deadly menace that threatens to destroy its peace and progress: cultism.

Cultism is the involvement of youths in secret and violent groups that engage in criminal activities such as robbery, kidnapping, rape, assassination and ritual killings. Cultism has been a problem in Nigeria for decades, but it has become more rampant and vicious in Ilorin in the past few years. According to a report available, over 15 people have been killed by suspected cultists in Ilorin since the beginning of this year. Many more have been injured, maimed or traumatized by cult attacks.

The cultists operate with impunity and audacity, striking at any time and place, without fear of arrest or prosecution. They target their rivals, innocent citizens, security agents and even religious leaders. They use sophisticated weapons such as guns, machetes, axes and knives to inflict maximum damage on their victims. They also mutilate their victims’ bodies, removing their eyes, hands or other organs for ritual purposes or as trophies.

The cultists are mostly young men who are either students or dropouts from various schools and institutions in Ilorin. They belong to different cult groups such as Eye, Aye, Black Axe, Eiye Confraternity and others. They are often recruited by their peers or seniors who lure them with false promises of money, power and protection. They are also influenced by negative peer pressure, drug abuse, social media and entertainment.

The impact of cultism on Ilorin is enormous and devastating. Cultism has eroded the security, peace and development of the city. It has created fear and panic among the residents who live in constant danger of being attacked or killed by cultists. It has also disrupted the social and economic activities of the city, as people avoid going out at night or to certain areas where cultists operate. It has also affected the quality of education, as many students have either dropped out or performed poorly due to cult involvement or intimidation.

The question is: what are we doing to stop this menace? The answer is: not enough. The government has failed to provide adequate security and justice for the people of Ilorin. The security agencies have been overwhelmed by the challenge of combating cultism in the city. The judicial system has been slow and ineffective in prosecuting and punishing cult offenders. The educational institutions have been complacent and negligent in curbing cultism among their students. The religious bodies have been silent or passive in addressing the moral and spiritual decay of the youths. The civil society organizations have been weak and fragmented in their advocacy and intervention efforts. The media have been sensationalizing or ignoring the issue of cultism. The parents have been irresponsible or ignorant of their children’s involvement in cultism.

We cannot continue like this. We must act now before it is too late. We must join hands and work together to end this scourge that is destroying our city. We must say enough is enough, time to end the reign of terror.

We call on the government to take decisive and proactive measures to tackle cultism in Ilorin. The government should enact and enforce strict laws that prohibit cultism and prescribe severe penalties for offenders. The government should also provide adequate funding and equipment for the security agencies to combat cultism effectively. The government should also address the root causes of cultism, such as poverty, unemployment, corruption, inequality and injustice.

We call on the security agencies to intensify their efforts to arrest and prosecute cultists in Ilorin. They should also collaborate with other stakeholders such as community leaders, vigilante groups, traditional rulers and religious leaders to gather intelligence and information on cult activities and locations. They should also protect the lives and properties of the citizens from cult attacks.

We call on educational institutions to adopt zero-tolerance policies against cultism and expel any student found to be involved in cult activities. They should also provide adequate counselling and guidance services for students to prevent them from joining cults or to help them renounce their membership. They should also promote academic excellence, moral values and positive peer influence among students.

We call on the religious bodies to preach against cultism and its evils from their pulpits and platforms. They should also pray for divine intervention and protection for their members and the city from cult attacks. They should also provide spiritual support and rehabilitation for repentant cultists.

We call on civil society organizations to embark on advocacy and sensitization campaigns to educate the public on the dangers of cultism and how to resist or report it. They should also monitor and document cases of cult violence and human rights violations and seek redress for victims.

We call on the media to expose and condemn cult activities and their perpetrators. They should also highlight positive stories of youths who have shunned cultism and excelled in their endeavours. They should also avoid sensationalizing or ignoring the issue of cultism.

We call on the parents to provide proper upbringing for their children and instil in them good moral values and discipline. They should also monitor their children’s movements, associations and activities and discourage them from joining or associating with cult groups. They should also report any suspicious behaviour or signs of cult involvement to the appropriate authorities.

We call on all Ilorin residents to be vigilant and alert to the presence and activities of cultists in their communities. They should also cooperate with the security agencies by providing useful information or evidence that can help in arresting or prosecuting cultists.

We call on all Ilorin residents to reject violence and embrace peace. We call on all Ilorin residents to love one another and respect one another’s rights and dignity. We call on all Ilorin residents to unite against our common enemy: cultism.

We have a choice: either we stand up and fight for our city, or we sit down and watch it burn. The choice is ours. The time is now. Enough is enough, time to end the reign of terror.

_Nu’akofu Uthman Oladimeji, a son, father and husband writes from Ilorin._