Palpable fear as cultism thrives in Ogun Primary, Secondary schools

…Primary 4 pupil, others share shocking experiences

By Sodiq Adelakun

Cultism has successfully crept into primary,  secondary schools across the length and breadth of Nigeria with teachers resolving to mind their business and look away whenever the students, who are supposed to be under their care display cultist tendencies.

Reports revealed that many parts of Nigeria indicated that the pendulum has swung from tertiary institutions to secondary schools.

Investigation has shown that schools have become the haven for cultism as initiation into various groups take place on the premises of public schools.

Despite collaborative efforts by government and concerned stakeholders to provide Nigerians with quality education, a few have chosen to toe the line that leads to destruction through voluntary initiation into different cults, which has crept into the education system and deteriorated the rudimentary standards.

It was exclusively gathered that security operatives have arrested teenagers in colleges in Nigeria in Ogun, Akwa- Ibom, Lagos, Bayelsa among others.

Gone were the days when secret cults were only mentioned  in Nigeria’s tertiary institutions. The scourge  has since moved to secondary  schools and has finally polluted the Primary school pupils.

“I joined a cult while I was in primary four, then I was nine- year – old,” this is the shocking confession of a primary four school pupil in a secret cult in one of Nigeria’s schools.

Although Temmy (not real names), confesses it has not been easy being a cult member, he does not regret his action either.

In this exclusive encounter with Nigerian NewsDirect,  he  says he has no regrets whatsoever.

“I am now a Superman feared by my mates in street. I personally do not regret my actions of belonging to the cult group, that’s a lie,” he said.

Nigerian NewsDirect tried to get some pupils, especially in primary and secondary schools to share their experiences with the assurances that their identities would be protected. Not fewer than five of these kid cult members   shared their experiences  on how they were initiated.

Three of the boys are still in primary school while two are J.S.S 3 and S.S.2 students respectively in public schools in Ogun State.

Though one of them regretted the step he took which he considered as one of the greatest mistakes in his life, other boys were not remorseful of their action.

Speaking to our correspondent,  Ajogun said, “It has not been easy at all, brother, I joined a cult while I was in primary four, then I was nine years old. One of those egbon adugbo (street brothers) which was no doubt a cult member, called me to address my colour combination. He asked if I was trying to dress like a cult, my reply was negative.

“However, he told me that if I belonged to a cult group that people will always respect me, nobody will harm me or my friend again. I thought of it and instantly accepted that it would make me a stronger and important person because I was naive of the rudiment and aftermath action. I was initiated the following day. I was beaten mercilessly and was asked to drink different gin which I was not used to.

“I could remember vividly when I got home, I was famished and exhausted, I lied to my mum that I had an accident on a motorcycle which led to several bruises on my face. On the account of how I was drunk due to my unbalanced movement, my mum pampered me like a baby because I have no father. She warned me to stop bad habits the following day.”

Other boys in primary school who spoke to Nigerian NewsDirect disclosed that their initiation was done on  the same day due to their physique, ruggedness.

One of them said, “If I tell you we regretted our actions of belonging to the cult group, that’s a lie. We do abandon school at times to attend meetings arranged by our superiors.

“As far as I’m concerned, school is a scam. We are feared even in our environment, is that not enough pride on our part?”

However, one of them who is in a Junior Secondary School, said he regrets ever belonging to a cult.

Describing how he got involved, he explained  that one of his close friends led him to the jungle for initiation.

He said,  “One of the things I regretted in my life is belonging to the cult, but what can I do since the rule says no going back or else I would be killed.

“I went to a club with some friends and my close pal. He bought different drinks for me, such as 33 larger beer, Goldberg, Trophy and mixed with Action bitter. I drank to stupor and unknowingly, I was led to the jungle where I was severely beaten almost to death all in the name of initiation. I’ve been asked to steal several times from neighbourhoods and I know I will be caught someday if I don’t stop.

“I’ve explained everything to my parents and they are planning on how to send me out of the state to a faraway place I would not mention for now.

“My advice to young ones and even adult is knowing the kind of friends they keep, it is very important like the popular saying, ‘Show me your friend and I will tell what you are.’ Also, not everything you must eat or drink, you have to be reluctant at times, eat or drink what belongs to you so that you would be a victim of bad circumstances.”

In the same vein, another boy in S.S.1 said he joined the secret cult to be appreciated and respected.

He said, “ I belong to cult because I love to fight, even my teachers in the school are afraid of me. I am proudly a cult member of the Eiye.”

Meanwhile, in 2022, The Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has called on parents to be responsible towards the welfare of their children.

He equally charged them to ensure their children proper upbringing in a bid to put an end to the rise in cultism in the state.