The gruesome killing of Adedamola Quadri Ogunbode, a recent graduate of Lagos State University (LASU), is yet another chilling reminder of the pervasive horror of ritual killings in Nigeria. His murder, allegedly at the hands of a so-called prophet within the supposed sacred confines of a church, is a tragic irony that further exposes the moral rot in our society. It is heartbreaking that a place meant to offer spiritual solace instead became a slaughterhouse where a young man’s life was cut short in the most barbaric manner.

As painful as Adedamola’s death is, the even more terrifying reality is that his case is not an isolated one. Across Nigeria, ritual killings have become a widespread epidemic, claiming the lives of countless innocent victims. From Lagos to Ibadan, from Benin to Port Harcourt, reports of human sacrifices, body mutilations, and disappearances fill the pages of our newspapers almost daily. The killers, driven by greed, desperation, and a twisted belief in supernatural wealth acquisition, have turned human life into a mere commodity to be traded for money and power.

The sad truth is that Nigeria has become a breeding ground for ritualistic killings, with victims spanning across all demographics, children, young women, students, and even elderly people. Many of these murders are fueled by the insatiable quest for instant wealth, often encouraged by fraudulent clerics, self-styled prophets, and traditionalists who prey on the gullibility and desperation of their followers.

The shocking aspect of Adedamola’s case is the involvement of a church. This gruesome act reaffirms the painful reality that not all religious institutions are truly places of worship. Some have become mere fronts for criminal activities, engaging in fake miracles, extortions, and now, even murder. It is beyond tragic that those who should be offering hope and salvation are instead engineering destruction and death.

The belief that human sacrifice brings prosperity is not only archaic but also deeply dangerous. This age-old superstition, perpetuated by con artists masquerading as spiritual leaders, has no place in a modern society. The fact that many so-called men of God have been arrested in connection with ritual killings speaks volumes about the extent to which greed and deception have infiltrated religious institutions.

In recent years, Nigeria has witnessed an alarming surge in ritual-related killings. In 2022, the shocking case of the four teenagers in Abeokuta who murdered their female friend for ritual purposes shook the nation. Their reason? They had been told that using human parts for money rituals would make them wealthy. In the same year, a security guard in Ondo State was caught with a fresh human skull, allegedly obtained for ritual purposes.

The cycle of these crimes continues unchecked due to weak law enforcement, lack of swift judicial action, and, in some cases, complicity by authorities. Many ritualists operate with impunity, knowing that even if they are caught, they can bribe their way out of prosecution. Worse still, some high-profile individuals suspected of being involved in such heinous acts walk free due to their connections to influential people.

The persistence of ritual killings in Nigeria is not just a failure of law enforcement but also a reflection of a deeper societal problem. The desperation for wealth and the idolization of money at all costs have led many down dark and dangerous paths. Social media, with its glorification of sudden riches, has further fueled this craze, making the younger generation believe that anything, including human sacrifice, is a legitimate means to success.

Moreover, Nigeria’s harsh economic realities have pushed many into desperation. With unemployment at an all-time high and the cost of living soaring, people are increasingly willing to try anything to escape poverty, even if it means taking another person’s life. The failure of leadership to provide a conducive environment for economic growth has, in part, contributed to the normalization of such wickedness.

Given the foregoing, it is not abysmal to ask, “Where Do We Go from Here?” The foregoing question becomes more salient as it is not enough to mourn Adedamola’s tragic death; we must take deliberate action to prevent further occurrences. The Nigerian government and law enforcement agencies must treat ritual killings with the seriousness they deserve. This means ensuring that perpetrators are swiftly arrested, prosecuted, and given maximum punishment to serve as a deterrent.

Religious institutions must also be scrutinized. Not every so-called prophet or pastor is truly called by God. Many of them are simply charlatans who have weaponized spirituality for personal gain. Regulatory bodies overseeing religious establishments must be more proactive in investigating and shutting down churches and shrines involved in suspicious activities.

Education and public awareness are also crucial. Nigerians need to understand that there is no shortcut to wealth, and that ritual killings are not only criminal but also morally reprehensible. Schools, religious bodies, and media outlets should intensify campaigns against superstitious beliefs that encourage human sacrifice.

Furthermore, community vigilance must be heightened. People must be encouraged to report suspicious activities in their neighborhoods to authorities. The role of security agencies cannot be overstated—they must be empowered to carry out thorough investigations and bring perpetrators to justice without delay.

The death of Adedamola Quadri Ogunbode is a painful reminder of the darkness that has taken root in Nigeria. But we cannot afford to let his death be in vain. The perpetrators of this heinous act must be made to face the full wrath of the law. His family, friends, and the LASU community deserve justice, and the country must not let yet another case of ritual murder slip into oblivion.

In fact, the government, religious leaders, law enforcement agencies, and every well-meaning Nigerian must come together to fight this menace. If we continue to allow ritual killings to fester, we are not just losing individual lives, we are losing our collective humanity.

Adedamola had dreams. He had a future ahead of him. But his life was brutally stolen by a society that has failed to protect its own. Now is the time to take a stand. Now is the time to say, ‘Enough is enough!’

May his soul rest in peace, and may Nigeria finally wake up to the horror of ritual killings before it consumes us all.