NO doubt, the human society is confronted with different challenges, both natural and man-made. Whereas the natural ones are almost part of human existence, artificially-propelled ones are often considered to be avoidable and, sometime, condemnable. Cultism is one of these banes that have randomly vitiated personal peace, collective wellbeing, and purposeful direction for national development.
NIGERIA has not been spared the menace of cultism, as the abominable practice that used to be popular with traditional societies, and prevalent in higher institutions of learning, has percolated to the different spheres of the society, with streets across some cities in the country witnessing rival cult clashes, aggression, counter-attacks, maiming and killings. It is common knowledge that the Badoo Cult Group terrorised the Ikorodu axis of Lagos for a sustained period in the recent past, with States like Rivers, Edo, Delta, etc., also having their own baptism of blood.
IN Ondo State, Ilaje, Owo, and Ikare Akoko have experienced the nefarious activities of cultists, overtime, with the attendant violence, death and disruption of public peace, which are pointedly indicative of socio-political instability. In his usual proactive manner, the Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu recently sent a very strong warning to cultists in the state, assuring them that he would leave no stone unturned to bring down the full weight of the law on the perpetrators of violent cult activities in the State. We are of the opinion that the stern warning of Arakunrin is desirably timely, considering the metamorphosis of cultism to rituarism, with the accompanying threats they constitute to the environments where they operate. This is more so as youths of both sexes and ages have been initiated into this dastardly act.
THE HOPE denounces that cultism which is a veritable source of terror and insecurity, just as these cult groups are potent sources of recruitments for political thugs and assassination. The renewed surge in cult activities is also blamable on highly-placed Nigerians who support and fund cultists. Some of these cult groups were created by these political bigwigs, who are funders and patrons to the groups, to allow their use for political gains.
WE are of the view that as part of the commitments of the Akeredolu-led government in Ondo State to tackle this menace, the government should identify those supporting and sponsoring these cult groups, and make them to face the law. It is saying the obvious that attractions to cultism include drug abuse, social fame, protection and access to economic, social and political powers. To this end, in mitigating cultism in Ondo State, the government should eliminate these sources of attraction.
THE HOPE calls on NGOs and religious organisations to increase advocacy and enlightenment campaigns against cultism and the ancillaries. Deliberate efforts should similarly be made to expand on rehabilitation initiatives.
AS the platitude that the devil creates jobs for an idle hand remains true, both the government and the private sector should gainfully engage the youths in order to get them busy, and take them away from volatile zones, where they are easily induced to cultism and other criminal acts.
WHILE commending the Governor for issuing the warning, the Hope encourages the governor to show palpable courage and political will to checkmate this dastardly act that is capable of debilitating the already fragile security situation in the country, and has the capacity to reverse the gains the government has hitherto recorded in securing citizens in the State.
IN our view, the urgency to clamp down on cultists is reinforced by the fast approaching 2023 general elections. This is more so as to prevent the likelihood of political relevance of cultists, who may want to install and control governments, as witnessed in Italy, where drug barons are good influence, and dictating the pace.In a nutshell, The Hope opines that the untamed propensities of cultism in the country is suggestive of a predictable precarious end for a nation like Nigeria and, therefore, the need to act very decisively now!