The presiding Bishop of the Methodist Church of Nigeria, Atamunu Diocese in Cross River State, Rt. Rev. Otuekong Ukut, PhD, has identified prosperity gospel, unethical practices and get-rich-quick syndrome as being responsible for the increasing rate of ritual murders and criminal activities in Nigeria.
This was disclosed by the cleric on Wednesday in Calabar while commenting on his recent appointment to the World Methodist Council Ecumenical and Inter-religious Relationship Committee for the 2025–2029 term with LEADERSHIP.
Ukut condemned the involvement of youths in ritual killings simply because they want to get rich quickly at all costs.
The Bishop, therefore, urged all political leaders in all the geopolitical regions to intervene to secure a bright future for the youth.
He said, “You see a 19, or 20-year-old boy, killing his mothers. Killing his fathers, sometimes their friends for ritual murder, just -get rich- quick.
“It’s a trend that we need to reverse. We need to give them Christ. We have allowed the prosperity gospel; today, our youths have become disillusioned.
“And so, they want to get rich quickly with it, using rituals. It’s not only in Christendom; the Alfa, imams and prayer houses are also involved.
“You see our young men killing women. Killing their girlfriends and friends. And some killing their mothers. And mothers, conniving with their girlfriends to kill their friends with the belief that they will make money.”
Bishop Ukut warned that the nation’s future would be bleak if nothing urgently are done to reverse the ugly trend.
This is as he called for the reorientation of the youths so that they would know Christ. And imbibe strict family and national values, thus, making the country a better place for all to live.
The clergy said, “They are now going into unethical practices like ritual murder. This is because of the get-rich-quick syndrome, which is so sad.”
source: Leadership