Cultism has long been a concern, especially within Nigeria’s tertiary education system, but recent events in some universities indicate that cultism is still much prevalent.
Cultism was said to have originally emerged as student confraternities in the 1950s, where students fought for their rights. However, over the decades, cults have evolved into criminal organisations, resulting in the brutal termination of many young lives.
Recently, the Abia State Government confirmed the death of a student from Abia State University in a cult clash. Reports indicate the deceased, who was in his final year, had only joined the deadly group two months prior to the incident that claimed his life.
The incident, which went viral on social media, has received condemnation from many and has prompted people to take to their various social media platforms to campaign against cultism in Nigeria.
The Delta State Police Command spokesperson, Bright Edafe, stated on his social media platform X, that his greatest achievement while in higher institution was not joining a cult, as he spoke out against cultism.
“During my OND days, I graduated with a distinction, but that’s not my greatest school achievement, my greatest achievement was not getting initiated into any cult group, I am not sure I would have been alive today” he said.
He further discouraged people from joining, emphasising the dangers and consequences of cultism.
“It’s not too late to quit. All these guys doing the shooting are not exempt, even if they escape now from being arrested, they will still face the consequences, it’s the law of karma, ‘he who kills by the sword will surely die by the sword’. So advise yourself and say no to cultism. He urged.
Moving on, a former polytechnic student, who pleaded to remain anonymous, described how cultism claimed the life of her dear friend. She characterised cultism as an unprofitable business that only leads to losses.
“When I was in polytechnic, I had a friend who died as a result of cultism. He was literally butchered in front of a lecture room by cult members. I was so sad for days when I heard what had happened to him, and I never knew he belonged to a cult group. It was after he died that I knew he was part of a cult,” she said.
Furthermore, she said school authorities, with the help of the government, need to implement strategies to curb cultism in higher institutions.
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