Impact Of Ritual Killings On Sociocultural Deterioration In Nigeria

Project and Seminar Material for Sociology

Abstract

This study was carried out to examine the impact of ritual killings on sociocultural deterioration in Nigeria using South-West region with reference to Ibadan metropolis, Oyo State as a case study. The study specifically was set to ascertain the purpose of youth engagement in ritualism in Ibadan, investigate whether youth involvement in ritualism undermine social sanctity and security of lives in the society and establish whether high rate of ritualism contributes to loss of cultural and moral values in Nigeria society. The survey design was adopted and the simple random sampling techniques were employed in this study. The population size comprise of people resident in Ibadan metropolis, Oyo State. In determining the sample size, the researcher conveniently selected 167 respondents and 158 were validated. Self-constructed and validated questionnaire was used for data collection. The collected and validated questionnaires were analyzed using frequency tables. The result of the findings reveals that the youths in engage in ritualism due various factors which includes societal pressures, economic desperation, and beliefs in supernatural powers. The study also revealed that youth involvement in ritualism significantly undermine the social sanctity and security of lives in the society. Therefore, it is recommended that government should implement programs that provide economic opportunities, vocational training, and support for youth to reduce the allure of ritualism driven by poverty and desperation. Also, government, policy makers and community leaders should enhance law enforcement efforts to investigate and prosecute perpetrators of ritual killings, To mention but a few.

Table of Content

Title Page
Certification
Dedication
Acknowledgement
Table of Content
List of Tables
Abstract

Chapter One:

Introduction

1.1 Background of the Study
1.2 Statement of the Problem
1.3 Objective of the Study
1.4 Research Questions
1.5 Research Hypothesis
1.6 Significance of the Study
1.7 Scope of the Study
1.8 Limitation of the Study
1.9 Definition of Terms

Chapter Two:

Review of Literature

2.1 Conceptual Framework
2.2 Theoretical Framework
2.3 Empirical Review

Chapter Three:

Research Methodology

3.1 Research Design
3.2 Population of the Study
3.3 Sample Size Determination
3.4 Sample Size Selection Technique and Procedure
3.5 Research Instrument and Administration
3.6 Method of Data Collection
3.7 Method of Data Analysis
3.8 Validity of the Study
3.9 Reliability of the Study
3.10 Ethical Consideration

Chapter Four:

Data Presentation and Analysis

4.1 Data Presentation
4.2 Analysis of Data
4.3 Answering Research Questions
4.4 Test of Hypotheses

Chapter Five:

Summary, Conclusion and Recommendation

5.1 Summary
5.2 Conclusion
5.3 Recommendation
References
APPENDIX
QUESTIONNAIRE

Chapter One

Introduction

1.1 Background of the Study

It is of no doubt that moral decadence has completely replaced core moral values in present times. This ravaging phenomenon is the cause of some of the major problems Nigeria is facing as a Nation. A society where the youths do not think of how tomorrow would be better than today or how to invent new things to automate processes involved in our daily activities rather focusing on how to enrich themselves by any means and controlling enormous wealth at a tender age which they achieve through ritual killing(Afuye, 2013). Ritual is a set patterns or prescribed procedures and orders for carrying out religious actions or ceremonies (Shujaa 2009). Sacrifice is a vital aspect of every religious ritual (Stebbins 2010). This involves giving up something of value for the sake of something that is of greater value (Ayegboyin 2009:). Human sacrifice is a blood sacrifice that involves killing of a living creature as a ritual offering to a god or spirit, usually in expectation of a return in the form of good fortune, whether generalized or as the granting of a particular prayer (La Fontaine 2011). Some of the objects of sacrifice for this ritual are whole or severed parts of human being, such as the head, genitals, breasts, eyes, intestine, arms and legs as well as exhumed dead body or its severed parts. Ritual sacrifice can be said to be designed as a “faith strategy” to acquire money, wealth, success, fame, favour, greatness, power and protection from dangers. Ritual killings is a violent and extreme type of criminal homicide in which vital organs of the victim are excised by the slayers for use in “sacred” rites.

Ritual killing is a common phenomenon in Nigerian daily life. It has become a regular event when hundreds of Nigerians lost their lives to ritual killers or what Nwakanma, & Abu, (2020) called, “Head Hunters.” The ritual killers go about in search of human parts – heads, breasts, tongues, and sex organs – as demanded by witch doctors, juju priests, traditional medicine men or women and/or occultists who require such for their dubious sacrifices or for the preparation of assorted magical portions (Igwe, 2010). In the contemporary Nigeria, ritual killing has taken new dimension. Tell magazines describe the scene as the “Reign of the Ritualists” (Elesho 2004). Many diverse means are used to kidnap people with evil intentions; especially for rituals. Many of those kidnapped for such purposes are long gone but there are a lucky few who actually live to tell the story of their encountered with the ritualists. Some of the kidnappers caught with their victims some time dead or half-dead also testified of their dubious acts (Aiyetan, 2003). There are all sorts of stories of various techniques of kidnapping; some people disappeared on picking or touching some items set as trap by ritualists or kidnappers. It seems obvious in Nigeria that ritual killers are more prevalent at certain seasons in the year – like the weeks leading to Christmas and during some yearly pilgrimages. It is generally believed that people engage in sacrifice of human beings to get money to spend at such festive periods. There are some known cases of people who killed their wives, husbands, mothers or even their children for money making rituals (Aiyetan, 2003). According to Aghawenu (202), the crazy desire cuts across all geographical boundaries and social strata and the extremes Nigerians can go in their bid to satiate their appetite for cheap wealth and varieties of life are unprecedented which is contribute to sociocultural deterioration of the society.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

In the last few years or so, our traditional norms have seriously been threatened by vanity or material life as displayed by various foreign media contents. This has changed our perception and orientation, moving us away from religion and patriotism towards materialism which has led to moral decadence. The causes of such decay can be traced to the collapse of family institution, lack of gainful employment for parents and school dropouts, preferential treatment of the rich against the honest and the knowledgeable in the society, corruption, poverty; inflation and adoption of social practices hence prompting young people into get rich quick method viz prostitution, robbery, kidnapping and the chief of all ritual killing. Salisbury (2012) noted that those who practice ritual killings believe them to be acts of spiritual fortification. Motivations to carry out these acts include the use of human body parts for medicinal purposes and the belief that human body parts possess supernatural powers that bring prosperity and protection. According to Igwe (2010), many young people still believe that charms and ritual sacrifices can fortify them spiritually, enhance their fortunes in business and during elections, or protect them from harm, disease, poverty, accident, death or destruction. These beliefs have been identified to further encourage some youth to participate in ritual murders to appease deities, pray for supernatural favours, ward off misfortune or create mystical wealth hence endangering their moral development.

With these recurrent incidences of ritual killings in the country, one is forced to ask why such brutal and barbaric act persists and what effect will this contribute to social and cultural values especially to the security of citizen Although various explanations have been offered by scholars and many social scientists. While some scholars blame the problem on the socio-economic conditions in the country especially as ritual killings increase in periods of economic hardship; some argues that home video story lines on ritually acquired wealth has contributed to ritual killing as youth and adolescent tend to practice what they watch. Others scholars has also argue that traditional beliefs in fetish and ritual religious practices have permeated the prevalence of ritual killing twenty-first century. While these reasons are valid, no study has been directed on the consequence of these immoral act on societal values. Thus, it is against this background that this study seeks to examine impact of ritual killings on sociocultural deterioration in Nigeria

1.3 Objective of the Study

The broad objective of this study is to examine the e impact of ritual killings on sociocultural deterioration in Nigeria. Specifically, the study seeks:

To determine the nature of ritual killings perpetuated by Youth in Ibadan.
To ascertain the purpose of youth engagement in ritualism in Ibadan.
To investigate whether youth involvement in ritualism undermine social sanctity and security of lives in the society.
To establish whether high rate of ritualism contributes to loss of cultural and moral values in Nigeria Society

1.4 Research Questions

What is the purpose behind youth engagement in ritualism in Ibadan?
Does youth involvement in ritualism undermine the social sanctity and security of lives in the society?
Does the high rate of ritualism contribute to the loss of cultural and moral values in Nigerian society?

1.5 Research Hypothesis

HO1: Youth involvement in ritualism does not undermine social sanctity and security of lives in the society.
HO2: High rate of ritualism does not contributes to loss of cultural and moral values in Nigeria Society

1.6 Significance of the Study

The result of the study will be of relevance to policy makers, Nigeria Youths and religious bodies. To policy makers, findings of the study will enlighten policy makers on the need to establish guiding principles to curtail ritual killing and establish punishment for those caught in this devilish act. To government, the study will also emphasize on the need to introduce poverty alleviation program, employment opportunities and support of entrepreneur as this will go a long way in reducing criminal behaviour among jobless youths. More the study will emphasize the need for to intensify teaching of moral education in schools, universities and as well encourage teachers/lecturers that teach moral education to be role model for our youths among others as this will reduce the rate of ritualism in Nigeria. Empirically, the study will add to the body of existing literature on ritualism as serve as reference material to scholars and student who wishes to conduct further studies in related field.

1.7 Scope of the Study

The scope of this study borders on the impact of ritual killings on sociocultural deterioration in Nigeria. The study will further discuss the nature and purpose for ritual killings perpetuated by Nigeria Youth. It will investigate if youths’ involvement in ritualism contributes to loss of social values in society and if high rate of ritualism contributes to moral decadence in Nigeria Society. The study is however delimited to South-West region with reference to Ibadan metropolis, Oyo State.

1.8 Limitation of the Study

Like in every human endeavour, the researchers encountered slight constraints while carrying out the study. The significant constraint was the scantiness of literature on implication of ritualism on sociocultural deterioration. discourse. Thus much time and organization was required in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature, or information and in the process of data collection. Also the study is limited in period as the study covered only South-West region with reference to Ibadan metropolis, Oyo State. Therefore findings of this study cannot be used for generalization for other regions or State which creates a gap for further studies.

1.9 Definition of terms

Ritualism:

Also known as Ritual killings is a violent and extreme type of criminal homicide in which vital organs of the victim are excised by the slayers for use in “sacred” rites.

Moral Development:

Moral development focuses on the emergence, change, and understanding of morality from infancy through adulthood. Morality develops across a lifetime and is influenced by an individual’s experiences and behavior when faced with moral issues through different periods of physical and cognitive development.

Moral Decadence:

This means a gross reduction in the moral values in a particular society. It appears to be a fall’ in the moral standard of the society and a deterioration or a collapse in upholding our societal values, beliefs, norms and ethical standards.

Chapter Five

Summary, Conclusion and Recommendation

5.1 Introduction

This chapter summarizes the findings on the impact of ritual killings on sociocultural deterioration in Nigeria using South-West region with reference to Ibadan metropolis, Oyo State as a case study.

The chapter consists of summary of the study, conclusions, and recommendations.

5.2 Summary of the Study

In this study, our focus was on the impact of ritual killings on sociocultural deterioration in Nigeria using South-West region with reference to Ibadan metropolis, Oyo State as a case study. The study specifically was set to ascertain the purpose of youth engagement in ritualism in Ibadan, investigate whether youth involvement in ritualism undermine social sanctity and security of lives in the society and establish whether high rate of ritualism contributes to loss of cultural and moral values in Nigeria society. A total of 141 responses were validated from the enrolled participants where respondent are drawn from residents of Ibadan metropolis, Oyo State .

5.3 Conclusion

The nature of ritual killings perpetuated by youth in Ibadan often involves gruesome and violent acts aimed at obtaining body parts or blood for ritualistic purposes. However, these rituals may include sacrifices of humans or animals, often performed in secluded areas under the cover of darkness. The findings of this study revealed that youths in Ibadan engage in ritualism due various factors which includes societal pressures, economic desperation, and beliefs in supernatural powers. Also, some youths engage in ritualism with the hope of acquiring wealth, success, or protection through occult practices, driven by a combination of cultural influences and socioeconomic circumstances.

Furthermore, the results show that youth involvement in ritualism significantly undermine the social sanctity and security of lives in the society. Such activities breed fear and mistrust among communities, leading to a breakdown in social cohesion. Also, the violent nature of ritual killings poses a direct threat to public safety, as innocent individuals become potential targets of these heinous acts. Additionally, the high rate of ritualism among youths in Ibadan metroplis contributes to the loss of cultural and moral values in Nigerian society by perpetuating harmful practices and eroding ethical standards. Ritual killings disregard the sanctity and security of human life and promote a culture of violence and fear. Moreover, the pursuit of material gain through occult means undermines the principles of hard work, integrity, and accountability, which are essential for the development of a healthy and ethical society.

5.3 Recommendations

Based on the responses obtained, the researcher proffers the following recommendations:

Government should implement programs that provide economic opportunities, vocational training, and support for youth to reduce the allure of ritualism driven by poverty and desperation.
Government and stakeholders involved in education should promote education campaigns to debunk myths surrounding ritual practices, raise awareness about the consequences of such acts, and foster critical thinking skills among youth to resist societal pressures.
Government, policy makers and community leaders should enhance law enforcement efforts to investigate and prosecute perpetrators of ritual killings, while also implementing measures to protect potential victims and provide support to affected communities.
Government and community leaders should work closely with traditional and religious leaders in the community to condemn and discourage ritualistic practices, while also leveraging their influence to promote ethical values and provide spiritual guidance to at-risk youth.

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