Joshua Omoloye, Abuja
The House of Representatives has moved to stem the rising tide of ritual killings in the country by resolving to declare national emergency on the ugly menace.
The Green Chamber charged the media, National Orientation Agency, (NOA) parents, Heads of schools and religious leaders to undertake a campaign and change the negative narrative that is pervading the country.
The House also urged the Executive Director, National Film and Video Censor’s Board to rise to the mandate of the agency as the clearing-house of all movies made in the country.
It as well called on the Inspector General of Police, Baba Alkali to take urgent steps to increase surveillance and intelligence gathering with a view to apprehend and prosecute all perpetrators of ritual killings in Nigeria.
These resolutions were sequel to a motion moved by Deputy Minority leader, Toby Okechukwu on urgent need to curb the rising trend of ritual killings in Nigeria at plenary on Wednesday.
Okechukwu said the incidents of ritual killings have assumed an alarming rate in Nigeria in recent times.
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The lawmaker, quoting a ‘Red Cross Report of 2017’ stated that there are 10,480 cases of missing persons in Nigeria, observing that
merchants of such wicked acts use social media to advertise their evil acts.
The Minority leader also, accused the movie industry of frequently dramatizing evil act which attributes negative impact on youths.
The House is concerned that although, communities are getting more religious with the proliferation of churches and mosques, the ugly trend of ritual killings is on the rise as the quest for wealth at all cost pervades the society.
“The House is convinced that such cruel and barbaric act should no longer be promoted in our society, giving demands of today’s world.”
The lawmaker expressed alarm by the moral decadence in the society that has promoted ‘get rich quick syndrome’ among the youths.
He observed that the media also have a role to play to end the ugly trend.
