Nigerian religious leaders have voiced grave worries over the increasing cases of Ritual killings involving clerics, describing the practice as alarming and detrimental to society. Many spiritual leaders have expressed their displeasure at the alarming increase in these heinous criminal acts, blaming the problem on deceit, greed, and the difficult economic circumstances of the nation. The involvement of clerics in ritual killings, a practice often associated with the quest for wealth and power, has not only tainted the image of religious institutions but also eroded public trust in spiritual leadership.
Numerous religious leaders have pointed out that certain clergy have abandoned their moral duties in order to satisfy their materialistic cravings, taking advantage of their followers’ weaknesses. This risky trend has been further fostered by the expanding Culture of ‘quick wealth,’ which is often exacerbated by Social Media luxurious life portrayals. Some clerics claim that people are more vulnerable to false promises of wealth made through evil means due to the ongoing economic difficulties. The concern comes in the wake of multiple recent arrests, the most recent of which was the alleged murder and dismemberment of Hafsoh Lawal, a final-year student at the Kwara State College of Education, Ilorin, for ritual purposes by an Islamic cleric, Abdulrahman Bello.
Clerics call for justice amid rising ritual killings.
The case, which is still pending, has gained traction in the street and has become a topic at every gathering. Speaking to reporters in Ilorin, the Kwara State Council of Ulama, headed by Sheikh Mohammad Bashir Salih, the Chief Imam of Ilorin, urged the State Police command to conduct thorough investigations and demanded that those responsible for the crime be held accountable in order to serve as a deterrent for future criminals. Following the occurrence of the case, many clerics in the state and across have publicly denounced the increasing number of ritual killings.
In a horrific event that shocked individuals in Cross River, a 29-year-old man was arrested on January 10, 2025, for reportedly killing his mother for ritualistic reasons. The terrible incident took place on December 25, 2024. Also, a preacher was allegedly found trying to kill a woman in Imo on November 6 after killing another and removing her genitalia. On December 22, a 45-year-old suspected ritualist was discovered in Abeokuta, Ogun State, with a fresh human head and the dismembered body parts of a female victim.
Gruesome ritual killings on the rise across the country.
Similarly, it was reported that numerous suspected ritualists have been arrested by the police, including a man who murdered his mother, grandmother, sister, and son on November 27 at the Amaeze community in Enugu State’s Nsukka Local Government Area. Another twin brother was also arrested by the Ogun Police on suspicion of killing and dismembering a woman on December 22 after enticing her to their home in Abeokuta. Also, on November 6, a 55-year-old widow was allegedly murdered in her flat in the Umuediabali village in Ahiazu Mbaise LGA of Imo by a local church operator who cut off her breasts and private organ.
These are just a few cases of the numerous instances where the terrifying rise in ritual killings across the country is being fueled by the desperate need for wealth, leaving a trail of innocent victims in its wake. In 2020, the House of Representatives expressed concern over the growing number of ritual killings in Nigeria and urged the Federal Government to impose a State of Emergency in order to stop the practice. Eventually, the National Orientation Agency (NOA) was directed by House members to “launch a campaign towards changing the situation in the country.” Nonetheless, the uncalled practice has persisted.
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To stop the trend, the religious leaders emphasized the necessity of a coordinated strategy combining community leaders, Security forces, and religious organizations. They emphasized that a renewed dedication to moral precepts, accountability, and transparency among the clergy is necessary to rebuild public trust in religious institutions. They also called on the government to address the fundamental economic issues that drive people to take drastic measures. The need for moral leadership and a return to fundamental spiritual principles is more pressing than ever as the nation struggles economically.