On October 5, I went to Fly High College, located at Agiliti 2, Mile 12, Lagos State.
The journey was to teach the students, the importance of shunning crime and become an ambassador of change; preaching against youths’ involvement in crime.
I narrowed my training down to cultism. They had a lot of things to say about cultism and cultist activities. Many of them were versed in the knowledge of cultists’ activities and all agreed that the wages of cultism was death.
But it was the question of the head boy, Taiwo Mustapha that enthralled me.
He asked: “If cult members are threatening and asking me to join, and I can’t talk to my parents, and my friends are bad boys, what can I do?”
It was a significant question; I know that even as my fingers are flying over this keyboard, many youths, somewhere, are in this same dilemma.
In fact, many of the students on that fateful day said that some of their parents were too harsh for them to discuss important issues with them. Some said parents were too busy and preoccupied, and sometimes just too impatient with them.
After Fly High College, I had an interactive session with some undergraduates and postgraduates at New Telegraph office, Ikeja. It was shocking that the undergraduates even vehemently blame parents for youths’ involvement in crime.
Parents, both mother and father, should begin to pay closer attention to their children. I just hate it when people say that it’s a mother’s responsibility to watch and monitor the children. It is the responsibility of both parents!
A parent should be able to know and decipher when something is wrong with his/ her child. When he/she is tensed and seemed to be scared or worked up.
If you’re close to your children, you’ll know when something is eating them up; when something is off-key. Right from their foundation, ensure you make them your friends, be their confidantes.
When the child grows to the age where cultists are troubling him, you would naturally be his first point of call.
My advice to Taiwo Mustapha…since you can’t talk to your parents, please dash to the nearest police station.
Cult members have different ways of approaching youths to join their groups. Some start with being friendly, others come with threats and intimidations.
In that first instance that they approach you; that’s the time to take action.
Taking action doesn’t mean fighting them or becoming belligerent. Taking action means having a game plan. If you can’t talk to your parents and you suspect that your friends are involved in cultism, go to the nearest police station.
At the station, ask to speak with the Divisional Police Station (DPO). Most DPOs are educated and well mannered, unlike most of the rank and files complainants meet at the counters.
Most DPOs have their phone numbers at the entrance of the station or right behind a board at the counter area. You may copy and dial his numbers.
The DPO is sure to arrange a meeting with your parents, so that there would be another action plan. You may also ask for the office of the Anti-kidnapping and Anti-cultism Squads; they have them in every state.
True, most cultists kill, so it might be necessary to relocate-some countries call it witness protection-, while police go after those threatening you, in order to make arrest.
Before rushing to the police station, think of your uncles or aunts; someone whom you’re very close to, then tell him/her your ordeal.
You may also choose to speak with your pastor or Chief Imam at your local worship centres. These clergies always have time to listen. They would know how to guide you.
Another option is to go to Lagos State Government Secretariat, Alausa, ask for Lagos State Ministry of Youths, Sports and Social Development, they are very passionate about youths, violence and crime in the state. They will help you.
Perhaps, you may choose to go to the Office of the Rapid Response Squad, (RRS) and request to see the Commander. You may even go and seek attention of the state’s commissioner of police or his public relations officer.
You may also choose to go to any nongovernmental organisations that you know; they would know and tell you the next step to take.
While all these are on, ensure you never walk alone. Don’t go out late at night and don’t return home late. Limit association with friends. Be cautious and don’t allow the situation to weigh you down.
Don’t be scared or browbeaten into joining cultism. It doesn’t ever pay. The end result of most cultists is prison or death.
On our newsletter are also emergency numbers that you can call. Help is just a phone call away.
First Published 2017
