Crime

“He Was Just Buying Food”: Inside Nigeria’s Deadly Cultism Epidemic

Published

5 months ago

August 21, 2025

“He Was Just Buying Food”: Inside Nigeria’s Deadly Cultism Epidemic

It was an ordinary night in Mushin, Lagos. Twelve-year-old Wasiu left home with a few naira to buy dinner from a roadside food vendor. Minutes later, gunfire ripped through the air as rival cult groups clashed. Wasiu was hit by a stray bullet. He never made it back home.

Sadly, Wasiu’s story is not unique. Across Nigeria, a hidden war is raging in neighborhoods, schools, and communities — a war not formally declared but devastating in its scale. Cultism and street violence have claimed more than 1,680 lives between January 2021 and June 2024, according to SBM Intelligence. The victims are not only cult members. They are children, mothers, students, traders — everyday Nigerians.

The Bloody Reality: When Innocence Meets Gunfire

Street violence in Nigeria has escalated from isolated campus cult fights to full-blown community sieges.

Lagos: Wasiu’s death in Mushin illustrates how ordinary lives are cut short without warning.
Ondo: A mother and her infant were gunned down in Owo during a morning clash.
Anambra: Thirteen people were killed during a New Yam Festival, turning a cultural celebration into a massacre.

These tragedies are not outliers. They are symptoms of a systemic problem — one that grows deadlier each year.

Why Cultism Thrives in Nigeria

Experts say cultism today is not confined to schools. Instead, it has spilled into the streets, fueled by:

Poverty and Unemployment – Idle youths, desperate for survival and identity, are recruited.
Peer Pressure and Social Belonging – Many join out of fear of exclusion or bullying.
Political Exploitation – Politicians arm gangs during elections, leaving weapons and networks intact after polls.
Weak Justice System – Arrested suspects often walk free, emboldening others.

Dr. Kevin Akan, a criminologist, notes that while campus cultism has declined, street violence is now the greater threat, driven by economics and politics.

The Human Cost: Families in Agony

Behind every statistic is a grieving family.

Mr. Synclair, whose 21-year-old son was hacked to death in Bayelsa, still questions how neighbors watched but did nothing.
Alfred Thomas lost his son, a graduate on the verge of national service. Suspects were arrested but later released — one, reportedly the son of a judge.

These fathers are left with shattered dreams, unresolved grief, and zero justice.

Psychologists warn that beyond death, survivors suffer trauma, depression, PTSD, and prolonged grief, destabilizing families and entire communities.

Economic Impact: A Billion-Dollar Loss

It’s not just lives being lost — it’s livelihoods. Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo revealed that cultism costs the state over $1 billion annually in lost investments. Businesses shut down, tourism stalls, and locals flee unsafe neighborhoods. Cult violence has become both a humanitarian and economic crisis.

Government Response: Not Enough?

Efforts include police crackdowns, amnesty programs, and community sensitization campaigns. In Ogun State, 48 cultists surrendered during an amnesty drive. Edo State has backed aggressive police action.

But these measures remain reactive. Experts argue that without systemic reforms, cultism will persist.

The Way Forward: Breaking the Cycle of Blood

To truly curb cultism, Nigeria must go beyond arrests:

Stricter laws with real enforcement — ending impunity.
Youth empowerment and job creation — offering alternatives to violence.
Stronger parenting and moral education — reshaping values.
Community accountability — ending protection of cultists by local leaders.
Criminal justice reform — ensuring suspects face fair but firm prosecution.

As Dr. Akan emphasizes, “Making laws without enforcement is mere advice.” The fight requires social reorientation and systemic change.

Conclusion: A War Nigeria Can No Longer Ignore

Nigeria’s cultism epidemic is not just a crime issue — it is a national emergency. Every stray bullet that takes an innocent life erodes public trust, cripples the economy, and deepens fear.

The question is: How many more Wasius, Ayakpos, and Direalas must die before Nigeria confronts this plague head-on?

Until government, communities, and citizens unite to end this scourge, the sound of gunfire may continue to replace the laughter of Nigeria’s children.

Crime

Tenant Allegedly St@bs Landlord In Delta

Published

4 weeks ago

December 23, 2025

Eyesjournals

Tenant Allegedly St@bs Landlord In Delta

A tragic incident has rocked Boji-Boji Owa in Ika North-East Local Government Area of Delta State, where a landlord, Mr. Lucky Obaze, was allegedly st@bbed to d3ath by his tenant during a dispute over a ₦1,500 electricity bill.

The suspect, identified only as Chiboy, is reportedly from Calabar, Cross River State.

According to Ika Weekly Newspaper, Chiboy and his brother, Victor, occupied a one-room apartment in a building owned by Mr. Obaze’s late father. The deceased, an indigene of the Owa-Oyibu community, lived in the same compound with his wife and six children.

Recounting the tragic event, which occurred on December 21, 2025, one of the victim’s children, Master Success Lucky, said the altercation started when his father went to collect the monthly electricity bill, as he routinely did.

“My father went to Chiboy to collect the ₦1,500 light bill, and they started arguing,” the visibly distressed boy said.

“I was alone with my father. If my mother had been around, this wouldn’t have happened. They fought downstairs where Chiboy stays, and afterward my father went upstairs to rest.”

He continued, “Suddenly, Chiboy came upstairs with a knife. I tried to stop him, but he was stronger than me. He met my father sitting in the parlour and st@bbed him.”

The victim’s wife, Mrs. Helen Obaze, has called on security agencies, the Nigerian government, and human rights groups to ensure justice is served.

Overcome with grief, she lamented that she has been left to single-handedly care for their six children.

Mrs. Obaze added that her husband’s body has been deposited at the mortuary to allow the police to carry out a full investigation into the incident.

Crime

‘Call Of Duty’ Creator Dies In Fiery Car Crash

Published

4 weeks ago

December 23, 2025

Eyesjournals

‘Call Of Duty’ Creator Dies In Fiery Car Crash

Vince Zampella, the legendary co-creator of the global video game phenomenon Call of Duty, has reportedly died after a tragic car accident, according to a confirmation released Monday by gaming powerhouse Electronic Arts. He was 55 years old.

Local outlet NBC4 reported that Zampella was driving his Ferrari along a scenic mountain route north of Los Angeles on Sunday when the vehicle suddenly left the road under unclear circumstances, slammed into a concrete barrier, and erupted into flames.

The California Highway Patrol (CHP) stated that both Zampella and a passenger were thrown from the car and later succumbed to injuries sustained in the crash. Dramatic videos circulating on social media showed the wreckage of the cherry-red Ferrari completely engulfed in fire on the roadside.

Authorities confirmed that investigations are ongoing to determine the exact cause of the accident.

Zampella was widely celebrated as a trailblazer in the gaming world and a driving force behind the evolution of modern first-person military shooters. He co-created the Call of Duty franchise and later founded Respawn Entertainment, the studio responsible for hit titles including Titanfall, Apex Legends, and the Star Wars Jedi series.

He began his journey in the gaming industry in the 1990s and went on to co-found Infinity Ward in 2002. The studio released the first Call of Duty game in 2003, launching a franchise that would grow into one of the most successful in gaming history, boasting over 100 million active players each month.

Infinity Ward was later acquired by Activision, solidifying Zampella’s status as one of the most influential and respected figures in contemporary video game development.

Crime

Fresh Wave Of Insecurity: Pregnant Woman And Several Residents Abducted In Niger And FCT

Published

2 months ago

November 28, 2025

Eyesjournals

Fresh Wave Of Insecurity: Pregnant Woman And Several Residents Abducted In Niger And FCT

Nigeria continues to face serious security challenges as multiple communities in Niger State and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) experienced coordinated attacks this week. These incidents come just days after the abduction of students from St. Mary’s Catholic School in Niger State……CONTINUE READING

New Abduction in Niger State

Residents of Palaita community in Erena Ward, Shiroro Local Government Area were thrown into distress on Wednesday when armed groups invaded a rice farm and abducted several workers, including a pregnant woman. Community sources estimated the number of kidnapped victims to be around 24, while the Niger State Police Command confirmed 10 abductions as investigations continue.

Eyewitnesses said the incident occurred around 2:00 p.m. while farmers were busy harvesting their crops. Despite the community’s close proximity to a military base in Erena, the attackers escaped before security personnel arrived.

In a separate incident in Kakuru community, also in Erena Ward, residents reported that a visually impaired man was assaulted after refusing to hand over a mobile phone. The victim was given first aid, though his current condition remains unclear.

Police spokesperson, SP Wasiu Abiodun, confirmed the attacks, assuring that security agencies are actively working to rescue the victims and restore calm in the affected areas.

Fresh Abductions in the FCT

In Abuja, communities in the Bwari Area Council faced renewed tension following another night attack in Gidan-Bijimi, a settlement near the Kaduna boundary. Six young women and a 16-year-old boy were taken during the raid, according to residents.

The attack, which occurred around 9:47 p.m. on Wednesday, created panic among locals already concerned by previous incidents in the region. Local vigilance groups attempted to intervene but retreated due to limited resources.

As of Thursday morning, families reported that no contact had been made with the attackers, while police were still verifying the details.

Church Confirms Passing of Kaduna Cleric

The Diocese of Kaduna, Anglican Communion, has announced the death of Venerable Edwin Achi, who was abducted in October along with his wife and daughter. His passing was described as a deep loss to the Diocese and the wider Christian community. The Church also announced the cancellation of the upcoming “Stand Up for Jesus 2025” event in his honour.

The Diocese assured that prayers continue for the safe return of his wife and daughter.

Federal Government Responds to Rising Insecurity

Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, reaffirmed that the Nigerian military is intensifying efforts to eliminate criminal networks responsible for attacks across the country. He explained that intermittent assaults are typical of guerrilla-style tactics but insisted that security forces are “working day and night” to restore normalcy.

He further confirmed that the Federal Government has launched a full investigation into recent school abductions, including claims that security personnel were withdrawn prior to an incident in Kebbi State.

Police Redeploy Over 11,000 Personnel

Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, revealed that 11,566 police officers previously assigned to VIP protection have now been deployed to underserved communities to strengthen grassroots security.

He stated that the initiative is part of broader reforms aimed at improving community policing and ensuring fair distribution of manpower nationwide.

Cardinal Onaiyekan Calls for Better Equipment, Not More Personnel

Catholic Cardinal John Onaiyekan called on the Federal Government to prioritize properly equipping the officers already serving across the country rather than recruiting additional personnel. The Cardinal emphasized the need for immediate action, stressing that adequately supported police officers are capable of confronting insecurity.

Experts and Community Leaders Advocate Unity

Former Senator Shehu Sani and humanitarian organizations participating in the 9th International Conference on Love and Tolerance urged Nigerians to embrace unity, understanding, and dialogue. They highlighted the importance of addressing root causes of conflict, promoting peaceful coexistence, and supporting security agencies with the resources they need to protect communities.