The Growing Phenomenon of Money Rituals-Motivated Killings in Nigeria: An Empirical Investigation into the Factors Responsible
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.25079/ukhjss.v3n2y2019.pp32-44Keywords:
Money rituals in Nigeria, Belief in magical sacrifices, Unemployment, Poverty, Excessive quest for wealth among NigeriansAbstract
This study investigated how beliefs in magical powers and related sacred activities, particularly those that accept human body parts for ritual sacrifices in return for fortunes, alongside poverty, unemployment, and quest for wealth as predictors responsible for the increase in money ritual–related killings in Ilorin Emirate of Kwara State, Nigeria. A total of 1736 respondents were selected using simple random sampling techniques. The instrument employed for data collection was a questionnaire. In addition, the information gathered was analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences. The results indicated that the increase in money ritual–related killings in Ilorin Emirate is a result of the general belief that ritual sacrifices enhance fortunes, the boundless desire for material wealth among Nigerians, unemployment, and poverty in Nigeria. Therefore, this paper suggests that there should be public enlightenment in all languages spoken in Nigeria about the dangers in associating individual success with spiritual influences.
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References
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Iheriohanma, E. B. J. (2009). Socio-structural pressures and the challenges of survival and crime committal in Nigeria. Journal of Social Sciences, 21(3), 167-175. https://doi.org/10.1080/09718923.2009.11892767
Ihugba, O. A., Odii, A., & Njoku, A. C. (2014). Theoretical analysis of entrepreneurship challenges and prospects in Nigeria. International Letters of Social and Humanistic Sciences, 5(16), 21-34.
Issah, M., Amali, S. E., & Ismail, K. O. (2016). Perceived effectiveness of anti-graft agencies: Economic and financial crimes in selected government ministries, Nigeria. Acta Criminologica: Southern African Journal of Criminology, 29(2), 53-72.
Jegede, C. O. (2014). African indigenous religious rituals and magic in Ibadan politics: Issues for the democratisation process in Nigeria. International Journal of Sociology and Anthropology, 6(2), 42-48.
Jimoh, A. (2018). Kwara police arrest couple, others with 11 human skulls. The Nation. Retrieved November 21, 2018, from http://thenationonlineng.net/kwara-police-arrest- couple-skulls/%0A
Law, R. (1985). Human sacrifice in pre-colonial west Africa. African Affairs, 84(334), 53-87.
Melvin, A. O., & Ayotunde, T. (2011). Spirituality in cybercrime (Yahoo Yahoo) activities among youths in south west Nigeria. In C. H. E. Dunkels & G. Franberg (Eds.), Youth Culture and Net Culture: Online Social Practices (pp. 357- 380). Pennsylvania: IGI Global. DOI: 10.4018/978-1- 60960-209-3
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National Bureau of Statistics. (2016). Nigeria Poverty 2016 Report. Abuja, Nigeria.
National Bureau of Statistics. (2017). Labor Force Statistics Vol. 1: Unemployment and Underemployment Report. Abuja, Nigeria. Retrieved 14th November 2018 from https://africacheck.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/q1- q3_2017_unemployment_report_VOLUME_1-1.pdf
Nkrumah, B. (2018). Hunted like animals: The conundrums of countering crimes against albinistic persons in the era of the UDHR. International Journal of Law, Crime and Justice, 55, 52-59. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijlcj.2018.09.002
Nwanguma, E. I., Araboh, O. E, & James, J. (2012). Engaging youth unemployment in Nigeria with youth development and empowerment programs: The Lagos State in focus. Interdisciplinary Journal of Contemporary Research in Business, 4(5), 181-197.
Obineke, S. L. (2008). The implications of ritual killing and security in Nigeria. Term paper for the course GSP 104. Enugu, Nigeria.
Obo, U. B., Coker, M. A., & Omenka, J. I. (2014). The state as an instrument of primitive accumulation: The Nigerian example, 1999-2013. Journal of Law Policy and Globalization, 26, 67.
Ojowu, O., Bulus, H., & Omonona, B. (2017). Nigeria poverty assessment. Abuja: World Bank.
Okeshola, F. B., & Adeta, A. K. (2013). The nature, causes and consequences of cyber crime in tertiary institutions in Zaria- Kaduna State, Nigeria. American International Journal of Contemporary Research, 3(9), 98-114.
Okpara, J. O. (2011). Factors constraining the growth and survival of SMEs in Nigeria: Implications for poverty alleviation. Management Research Review, 34(2), 156- 171.
Olowolagba, F. (2018). Why workers are not paid salaries regularly: Kogi govt. Retrieved June 25, 2018, from http://dailypost.ng/2018/05/20/workers-not-paid-salaries- regularly-kogi-govt/
Onyegbula, E. (2018). Lagos madwoman caught with human parts, corpses: I pose as prostitute to get victims. Retrieved November 21, 2018, from https://www.vanguardngr.com/2018/08/lagos-madwoman- caught-with-human-parts-corpses-i-pose-as-prostitute-to- get-victims/
Oyewole, S. (2016). Kidnapping for rituals: Article of faith and insecurity in Nigeria. Africology: The Journal of Pan African Studies, 9(9), 35-52.
Perez, B. (2018). Corpse of DELSU student found without breast, tongue. Retrieved November 21, 2018, from https://www.vanguardngr.com/2018/11/corpse-of-missing- delsu-student-found-without-breast-tongue/%0A
Salihu, H. A. (2019). Unequal Job-Opportunities in the Nigerian Civil Service and Youth Criminality: An Empirical Analysis. Asia Pacific Journal of Multidisciplinary Research, 7(1), 83- 93.
Salihu, H. A. (2012). Relative Deprivation: An Important Element of Deviant Behaviour among Youth. A Master Degree Dissertation, Department of Sociology, University of Ilorin.
Smith, D. J. (2001). Ritual killing, 419, and fast wealth: Inequality and the popular imagination in southeastern Nigeria.
American Ethnologist, 28(4), 803-826.
https://doi.org/10.1080/13811110490243741
The Nation. (2018). Nigeria: Nigeria Labour Congress drags state governors to International Labour Organisation over unpaid salaries. Retrieved July 3, 2018, from https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2018/06/07/nlc- drags-state-governors-to-ilo-over-unpaid-salaries/
Usman, E. (2017). Why killing for rituals are on the increase in Nigeria. Retrieved May 27, 2018, from https://www.vanguardngr.com/2017/09/killings-rituals- increase-nigeria/
Adagbada, O. (2014). Sociological analysis of money rituals as a recurrent theme in Yoruba films. New Media and Mass Communication, 32, 13-20.
Adama, J. T. (2015). The craze for wealth among Nigerians. Retrieved October 27, 2018, from http://www.thetidenewsonline.com/2015/09/02/the-craze- for-wealth-among-nigerians/
Adeniyi, E. (2014, April 14). Money...power...reasons ritualists are on prowl. Nigerian Tribune Newspaper, Vol. 438, 12
Agwu, O., & Emeti, I. (2014). Issues, challenges and prospects of small and medium scale enterprises (SMEs) in Port- Harcourt City, Nigeria. European Journal of Sustainable Development, 3(1), 101-114. https://doi.org/10.14207/ejsd.2014.v3n1p101
Akinyemi, D. (2017). Desperation to become rich was all over me, says man caught with seven human skulls. Retrieved September 3, 2018, from https://www.vanguardngr.com/2017/11/desperation- become-rich-says-man-caught-seven-human-skulls/
Alexandra, O. (2018). I killed my mother, slept with her corpse for money ritual: Suspect. Retrieved November 21, 2018, from https://punchng.com/i-killed-my-mother-slept-with- her-corpse-for-money-ritual-suspect/
Awolalu, J. M. (1979). Yoruba Beliefs and Sacrificial Rites. Essex: Longman.
Ayegboyin, D. (2009). Sacrifice. In M. K. Asante & A. Mazama (Eds.), Encyclopedia of African Religion (pp. 643-584). California: Sage Publications. http://dx.doi.org/10.4135/9781412964623.n362
Bell, C. (1997). Ritual: Perspectives and Dimensions. New York: Oxford University Press.
Bisong, P. B., Ekanem, S. A. (2014). The contemporary Nigerian summum bonum and its effect on the economy. Sophia: An African Journal of Philosophy, 15(1), 57-61.
Brilliant, M. H. (2015). Albinism in Africa: A medical and social emergency. International Health, 7(4), 223–225. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1093/inthealth/ihv039
Clement, U. (2017). Storm over statistics: 226 industries still closed amid economic recovery claim – MAN. Retrieved June 4, 2018, from https://www.vanguardngr.com/2017/09/storm-statistics- 226-industries-still-closed-amid-economic-recovery-claim- man/
Ebhomele, E. (2015). Families sell albinos to ritualists. PM News. Retrieved 21 June 2018 from https://www.pmnewsnigeria.com/2015/01/28/families-sell- albinos-to-ritualists/
Economic and Financial Crimes Commission. (2016). EFCC Conviction Records. Retrieved May 29, 2017, from www.efcc.gov.ng
Etodike, C. E., Eze, L. N., Ogbeide, D. E., & Ike, P. R. (2018). Typical solution to the unemployment problems in Nigeria: The convergence utility of the entrepreneurship models. European Journal of Human Resource Management Studies, 1(2), 130-138.
Falae, V. (2018). Types of money rituals in Nigeria. Retrieved September 3rd, 2018, from https://www.legit.ng/1173620- types-money-rituals-nigeria.html%0A
Fontaine, J. L. (2011). Ritual Murder? London: OAC Press, London School of Economics. Retrieved 21 September 2017 from http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc- nd/3.0/
Gertz, G., & Kharas, H. (2018). Leave No Country Behind: Ending Poverty In The Toughest Places. Retrieved 3rd January 2018 from https://www.brookings.edu/wp- content/uploads/2018/02/leave-no-country-behind_global- working-paper.pdf
Igbinovia, P. E. (1988). Ritual murders in Nigeria. International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology, 32(1), 37-43.
Iheriohanma, E. B. J. (2009). Socio-structural pressures and the challenges of survival and crime committal in Nigeria. Journal of Social Sciences, 21(3), 167-175. https://doi.org/10.1080/09718923.2009.11892767
Ihugba, O. A., Odii, A., & Njoku, A. C. (2014). Theoretical analysis of entrepreneurship challenges and prospects in Nigeria. International Letters of Social and Humanistic Sciences, 5(16), 21-34.
Issah, M., Amali, S. E., & Ismail, K. O. (2016). Perceived effectiveness of anti-graft agencies: Economic and financial crimes in selected government ministries, Nigeria. Acta Criminologica: Southern African Journal of Criminology, 29(2), 53-72.
Jegede, C. O. (2014). African indigenous religious rituals and magic in Ibadan politics: Issues for the democratisation process in Nigeria. International Journal of Sociology and Anthropology, 6(2), 42-48.
Jimoh, A. (2018). Kwara police arrest couple, others with 11 human skulls. The Nation. Retrieved November 21, 2018, from http://thenationonlineng.net/kwara-police-arrest- couple-skulls/%0A
Law, R. (1985). Human sacrifice in pre-colonial west Africa. African Affairs, 84(334), 53-87.
Melvin, A. O., & Ayotunde, T. (2011). Spirituality in cybercrime (Yahoo Yahoo) activities among youths in south west Nigeria. In C. H. E. Dunkels & G. Franberg (Eds.), Youth Culture and Net Culture: Online Social Practices (pp. 357- 380). Pennsylvania: IGI Global. DOI: 10.4018/978-1- 60960-209-3
Merton, R. K. (1938). Social structure and anomie. American Sociological Review, 3(5), 672-682. DOI: 10.2307/2084686 Moore, H. L., & Sanders, T. (2003). Magical Interpretations, Material Realities: Modernity, Witchcraft and the Occult in
Postcolonial Africa. London: Routledge.
National Bureau of Statistics. (2009). Social Statistics in Nigeria. Abuja: The NBS Publication. Federal Government of Nigeria. Retrieved 23rd November 2017 from www.nigerianstat.gov.ng
National Bureau of Statistics. (2010). The Nigeria Poverty Profile 2010 Report. Abuja, Nigeria.
National Bureau of Statistics. (2016). Nigeria Poverty 2016 Report. Abuja, Nigeria.
National Bureau of Statistics. (2017). Labor Force Statistics Vol. 1: Unemployment and Underemployment Report. Abuja, Nigeria. Retrieved 14th November 2018 from https://africacheck.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/q1- q3_2017_unemployment_report_VOLUME_1-1.pdf
Nkrumah, B. (2018). Hunted like animals: The conundrums of countering crimes against albinistic persons in the era of the UDHR. International Journal of Law, Crime and Justice, 55, 52-59. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijlcj.2018.09.002
Nwanguma, E. I., Araboh, O. E, & James, J. (2012). Engaging youth unemployment in Nigeria with youth development and empowerment programs: The Lagos State in focus. Interdisciplinary Journal of Contemporary Research in Business, 4(5), 181-197.
Obineke, S. L. (2008). The implications of ritual killing and security in Nigeria. Term paper for the course GSP 104. Enugu, Nigeria.
Obo, U. B., Coker, M. A., & Omenka, J. I. (2014). The state as an instrument of primitive accumulation: The Nigerian example, 1999-2013. Journal of Law Policy and Globalization, 26, 67.
Ojowu, O., Bulus, H., & Omonona, B. (2017). Nigeria poverty assessment. Abuja: World Bank.
Okeshola, F. B., & Adeta, A. K. (2013). The nature, causes and consequences of cyber crime in tertiary institutions in Zaria- Kaduna State, Nigeria. American International Journal of Contemporary Research, 3(9), 98-114.
Okpara, J. O. (2011). Factors constraining the growth and survival of SMEs in Nigeria: Implications for poverty alleviation. Management Research Review, 34(2), 156- 171.
Olowolagba, F. (2018). Why workers are not paid salaries regularly: Kogi govt. Retrieved June 25, 2018, from http://dailypost.ng/2018/05/20/workers-not-paid-salaries- regularly-kogi-govt/
Onyegbula, E. (2018). Lagos madwoman caught with human parts, corpses: I pose as prostitute to get victims. Retrieved November 21, 2018, from https://www.vanguardngr.com/2018/08/lagos-madwoman- caught-with-human-parts-corpses-i-pose-as-prostitute-to- get-victims/
Oyewole, S. (2016). Kidnapping for rituals: Article of faith and insecurity in Nigeria. Africology: The Journal of Pan African Studies, 9(9), 35-52.
Perez, B. (2018). Corpse of DELSU student found without breast, tongue. Retrieved November 21, 2018, from https://www.vanguardngr.com/2018/11/corpse-of-missing- delsu-student-found-without-breast-tongue/%0A
Salihu, H. A. (2019). Unequal Job-Opportunities in the Nigerian Civil Service and Youth Criminality: An Empirical Analysis. Asia Pacific Journal of Multidisciplinary Research, 7(1), 83- 93.
Salihu, H. A. (2012). Relative Deprivation: An Important Element of Deviant Behaviour among Youth. A Master Degree Dissertation, Department of Sociology, University of Ilorin.
Smith, D. J. (2001). Ritual killing, 419, and fast wealth: Inequality and the popular imagination in southeastern Nigeria.
American Ethnologist, 28(4), 803-826.
https://doi.org/10.1080/13811110490243741
The Nation. (2018). Nigeria: Nigeria Labour Congress drags state governors to International Labour Organisation over unpaid salaries. Retrieved July 3, 2018, from https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2018/06/07/nlc- drags-state-governors-to-ilo-over-unpaid-salaries/
Usman, E. (2017). Why killing for rituals are on the increase in Nigeria. Retrieved May 27, 2018, from https://www.vanguardngr.com/2017/09/killings-rituals- increase-nigeria/
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2019-12-28
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The Growing Phenomenon of Money Rituals-Motivated Killings in Nigeria: An Empirical Investigation into the Factors Responsible. (2019). UKH Journal of Social Sciences, 3(2), 32-44. https://doi.org/10.25079/ukhjss.v3n2y2019.pp32-44
