Delta Youths’ Bizarre Killings Spark Alarm: Drugs and Ritual Wealth Suspected

Police probe spate of patricides, matricides amid drug use and ritual killings in Delta State

Delta State is witnessing a disturbing rise in violent and unusual crimes, including patricide, matricide, and sexual assault, reportedly linked to ritual wealth-seeking and hard drug use. Police investigations are ongoing, as communities reel from the shock of these acts.

Shocking Cases Shake Communities

Recent incidents include:

• In Eku community, a young man allegedly hacked his mother to death near a shrine after visiting a juju priest, following instructions linked to ritualistic wealth practices.
• In Agbarho, a teenager reportedly raped and strangled his mother to death.
• In Okpare Olomu, 28-year-old Ufuoma Umurie allegedly murdered his father, Reverend Isaac Umurie, in his sleep.
• In Oghior, a man allegedly set his father’s house ablaze, resulting in death.

State police spokesperson Bright Edafe confirmed that investigations are ongoing and noted a link between these acts and substance abuse.

Drugs, Juju Priests, and “Yahoo Money”

Community insiders describe a dangerous nexus between hard drugs and ritualistic practices designed to generate quick wealth, often called “Yahoo money.” Sources claim that young men consume narcotics to suppress guilt and perform violent acts demanded by juju priests.

According to commercial transport operators in Warri, youths frequently refer to shrines as “locations” and pay generously for rides there. The substances reportedly consumed include marijuana (“wisdom leaves”), cocaine, tramadol, and blends known locally as “Colorado” or “Loud”.

Mr. Joseph Ovie, a commercial bicycle operator, said: “The juju priests set conditions, sometimes asking for blood or body parts of relatives. To carry out these acts, they take drugs to numb emotions.”

Calls for Community Action

Experts urge communities to collaborate with law enforcement and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to curb the menace. Security analyst Ibarko Mamus emphasized that drug abuse and ritual-related crimes cannot be fought by authorities alone, stressing the importance of community structures.

Elder Pa Oghenevwede Amos warned that societal idleness among educated youth may contribute to vulnerability to these criminal influences.

The Delta State Police continue to investigate, aiming to dismantle networks driving drug abuse and ritual killings while raising awareness among local communities.