....stages protest in Ogun
Peter Adedoyin
Members of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), in Ogun State have described ritual killing, kidnapping, internet fraud, drug abuse and other social vices as crimes against humanity.
The CSOs under the aegis of the Committee for the Defense of Human Rights (CDHR) and Human Rights and Grassroots Development Society (HRGDS), made the description during a protest in Abeokuta, the Ogun state capital over what they described as incessant occurrence of ritual killings and internet fraud among the youths in state
They therefore called on concerned authorities to make efforts to address the increase in ritual killings and Internet fraud in the state.
Members of the groups assembled at the Kuto under bridge in Abeokuta and moved round some places in the metropolis from where they marched to the governor's office in Oke-Mosan.
They carried placards with various inscriptions such as: "kidnapping is a crime, stop it now," "Security is our rights", "Internet fraudster destroys our pride", and "Shun ritual killing, protect human rights and prioritise security in Nigeria".
They condemned the increase in social menace in the state, urging the government to rise to the occasion.
Speaking on behalf of the groups, the National Secretary of CDHR, Yinka Folarin noted that the increase in ritual killings in the state was worrisome, therefore demanding the urgent need to act against it.
Folarin stressed that curbing the social menace demands collective efforts from both parents, and government at all levels.
He further stated that social vices will hinder the growth in the political, social and economic system of the country.
He said "We have come out this morning to say no to the ravaging, rampant and the increase in social vices in our schools, our communities and that act has been sabotaging our efforts in collectivity.
"We are here to condemn the increasing rate of kidnapping in our state and country. To condemn the increasing rate of ritual killings, drug abuse in our society.
"These are crimes against humanity. These are crimes that we all must act against. We have come out to condemn Internet fraud otherwise known as 'Yahoo Yahoo'. There is no more yahoo yahoo; it has become ritual killing and it is obvious to all of us in the society."
He added "We are calling on critical stakeholders to act now, put things at the necessary measures that will curtail excesses in our society so that right to lives of the people will not be deprived of them.
"Right to life is a fundamental right of the people. It is germane to the survival of any nation, economic growth, and even our peaceful coexistence.
"We have come out to call on the state and federal governments to press up on their measures to curtailing all these excesses."
Folarin added that parents should also properly train their wards, stating that it is vital for a better society.
He said "and the parents should train their wards very well. We must step up in the training of our children. Good parenting will lead to good children. Good children will breed good nation.
While tracing the cause of the problem, Folarin said lack of employment opportunities is a major problem the government needs to address in its fight against social vices.
He said "the future of the nation can only be secured when the youths are gainfully employed. When the youths are employed in the things that will be productive for them and invariably productive for the nation.
"So, we call on the governments at all levels to give the youths more opportunities both in government and to create employment opportunities for them.
"We have equally come out this morning to call on the government to put in place stringent measures and punishments for all those who perpetrate these heinous acts".
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