The rate at which cultism-related clashes are reported across the country is alarming and should be a cause for concern for the security agencies. Should these challenges be left to fester, then the country is yet to face any security challenge in spite what is happening across the country. We recalled with concern, the activities of the dreaded Awawa Boys and the One Million Boys in Lagos and Ogun states during the first lockdown of Lagos state. The armed gangs who capitalized on the lockdown imposed by President Muhammadu Buhari invaded houses, shops and unleashing mayhem.
They subjected residents of the states to unimaginable harassment and intimidation while helpless residents were disposed of their valuables. Not only did these cult groups made of teenagers who are expected to be under the tutelage of their parents and guidance robber and maimed, frequent inter-cult clashes also leave residents in state of insecurity.
Last month, police in Lagos state said cult clash between rival groups, the Eiye and Aiye confraternities led to the death of a man in Badagry. The victim was said to have been traced to an undisclosed hotel before he was fatally attacked.
Last year, a 35 year old pregnant woman, Risikat Saliman was killed during a clash between suspected cult groups in Ikorodu area of Lagos state. In Ondo state, Supremacy battle between rival cult groups is also becoming frequent in recent times with most of the clashes resulting in several deaths. Between Jun and July 2020, no fewer than six persons were brutally murdered in Igbokoda and Arogbo riverine communities in the state due to cult clashes. In one of the killings, some of the cult members were reportedly hacked to death in a bush while their bodies were hurriedly buried.
Most states in the southwest and the south-south have the same story to tell of the deadly clashes of these cultists. The incessant clashes are already a security challenge and we, like concern Nigerians, expect the security agencies to be at the top of the situation.
However, we come to the conclusion that apart from the failure of the government to ensure that the education system in the country is not only quality but that it is available to all Nigerian children irrespective of background, the society is fast failing in its duty to provide needed training and supervision of today’s youth.
While government at all levels are expected to provide basic and quality education, and also make the country conducive for the growth of small and medium scale enterprises in order to ensure that youths are gainfully employed and empowered, all sphere of the society must desist from shying away from its role to care for the future of the Nigerian youth.
