By Monday Ijeh

A campaigner against ritual killing, Mr Sunday Oyinloye, has advocated death penalty for perpetrators of the act.

He told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Abuja that the increasing cases of ritual killings had become a source of worry.

Oyinloye, who blamed the development on the decay in family values, laziness and desire to get rich at all cost, said death penalty would be a great deterent.

The campaigner said that society, schools, families, religious bodies and government were not doing enough to address the vice.

Oyinloye called for more engagements on ritual killings in the country, adding that the seeming nonchalance about the menace over time was part of the reasons for its increased rate.

“As it is now, there is no conversation about ritual killings and we keep having cases on daily basis.

“Relevant stakeholders must rise up against this menace and speak out against this ugly trend where women and young girls are often the victims.

“Youths must be responsible, hardworking, embrace the teachings in their places of worship and shun belief in get- rich-quick syndrome,” he said.

Oyinloye, a media executive, also said the police and other security agencies were doing their best to address the challenge of ritual killing.

He, however, added that their efforts were being frustrated by the slow pace of the criminal justice administration system.

According to Oyinloye, the duty of the police and other security agencies ends at the point of arraigning the suspect in court.

He called for comprehensive reforms of the nation’s laws to make them responsive to the current realities.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

(Edited by Nkiru Ifeajuna/Mufutau Ojo)