By Osarugue Idemudia, SME Media
Uyo — In the shadow of Nigeria’s thriving communities, a deadly secret society has continued its reign of terror, forcing families into ritual sacrifices under the guise of tradition and supernatural power.
Investigations by SME Media reveal a disturbing pattern of forced participation and violent retaliation against those who refuse, especially in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. Several families have fled Nigeria, seeking asylum in Europe and North America, as they risk death for rejecting these occult-related allegedly ritual killing demands.
A former member of an Uyo-based occult group, now in hiding, said: “I saw my own nephew taken away for ritual. When my time came, I refused, and they came after me.”
Another escapee stated: “The police do nothing because these groups have powerful backers. I had no choice but to run for my life.”
Despite numerous reports to law enforcement, allegedly, the authorities have failed to protect victims, leaving them with no safe alternative but to flee the country thereby worsening the brain drain syndrome.
International human rights organizations and some local NGOs have condemned Nigeria’s lack of action, stating that failure to address these crimes violates international human rights law.
Two major occult groups with roots in Niger Delta, now operaring clandestinely across Nigeria remain threats to many families. Those who dare to defy them, like John Bassey Wisdom and Edet Ekpeyong, are forced into exile, with no hope of protection in their homeland.
SME Media will continue to monitor and expose these abuses.
