RITUAL KILLINGS: OGUN PLANS TO FISH OUT QUACK TRADITIONALISTS

   RITUAL KILLINGS: OGUN PLANS TO FISH OUT QUACK TRADITIONALISTS

Ogun State Alternate Medicine Board says it will set up a task force to fish out uncertified traditionalists who are in the habit of rendering evil services to perpetrators of ritual killings and other social vices.

It also identified some other measures to end the menace to include, re-orientation of Alternate Medicine practitioners, traditionalists and herbalists, as well as strengthening its synergy with security agencies on enforcement, among others.

Chairman of the Board, Balogun Nurudeen Olaleye who revealed the plan during a strategic meeting with staffers of the Board in Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, decried the spate of ritual killings, kidnapping and cultism in the country, saying the situation should be nipped in the bud for the society to remain peaceful.

“I am saying the use of human beings or human parts for ritual is not in our value system and we will not accept such. The Board is strategic in curtailing the evil acts and we are deploying all means to track down the unscrupulous traditionalists whom the people believe are the ones rendering the evil services”, he said.

Olaleye stated that findings had shown that the heinous acts were being perpetrated mostly by youths due to the moral decadences in the society and the ‘get rich quick syndrome'. He noted that the agency would ensure that certified practitioners in the State abide by the operational rules and guidelines of the practice for human wellness.

He urged members of the public to support the Board in its determination to sanitise the sub-sector and get rid of quacks, saying the people should not hesitate to inform the security agencies of any strange movement or suspecting herbalist in your community.

Speaking, one of the Board members, Alhaji Ajisope Aroyewun pointed out that 70 percent of all culprits arrested and interrogated by the Police force had no connection with certified herbalists or traditionalists.

          Contributing, the Director of Administration and Supplies, Ministry of Youth and Sports, Alh. Adetunji Kalejaye commended the efforts of the Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun at ensuring culprits of human rituals were punished in accordance with the law, saying his agency would continue to engage youths in fruitful ventures.

 

Dolapo Jinad,

Press Officer, Ogun State Alternate Medicine Board.