The Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC) in Ekiti State has expressed worry over the increasing rate of killing of young girls for rituals by suspected internet fraudsters in the state.
The religious leaders said the state government and the security agencies should collaborate towards addressing the dangerous trend.
NIREC leaders, Bishop Felix Ajakaye, the Catholic Bishop of Ekiti Diocese, and the Chief Imam of the state and leader of the League of Imams in the South-West, Alhaji Jamiu Kewulere, said in a joint statement on Monday in Ado-Ekiti that parents should monitor the activities of their children.
The council argued that the activities of the suspected internet fraudsters, popularly called ‘Yahoo Boys, were disturbing in their quest to get rich and acquire property without doing legitimate business.
According to them, the security agencies, including the local security network, should collaborate, especially on intelligence gathering, to nip in the bud, all criminal activities in the state.
The statement read: “The Council urged the state government and security agencies not to rest on their oars in bringing criminal activities to an end.
“Therefore, the Council appeal to security agencies to close ranks and synergize to form a united team to fight crimes in the state, with particular reference to:
“Ritual murder of young girls who are enticed with money with other material things. Parents and guardians should educate daughters and wards on the dangers of making ‘quick money’.
“Fraudulent practises by ‘Yahoo boys and girls’ have diverted many youths from profitable use of their talents and resources.
“Putting an end to the perversion of justice by some misguided law-enforcement agents who collude with ‘Yahoo boys and girls’ and other criminals to escape justice
“Failure of some parents and guardians to make their children and girls register in school. This is a form of child abuse that is against the law in Ekiti State.
“To achieve success in the areas itemised above, it was resolved that religious bodies should support the efforts of the state government and security operatives by sensitising their members to shun criminal activities and providing information to security agencies to expose criminals.”
The council congratulated the state governor, Biodun Oyebanji, on his first anniversary in the state, promising to support the administration and prayed for increased divine blessings on the state and granting the governor more strength and energy to sustain the tempo of the present service in the state.
