Media Coverage Of Ritual Killing In Nigeria

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the Study

The menace of ritual killing today has become a phenomenon that the entire world especially African is grappling with. Listening to the mass media, cases of ritual killing among other crimes against humanity is becoming prevalent (Fontaine, 2018). Ritual killings are relatively unusual, but sometimes bear some of the hallmarks of a serial killing, such as mutilation of the corpse or some kind of special positioning. Many ritual murders involve the idea of human sacrifice, usually for religious reasons (Obo, Coker & Omenka, 2014). The term religion is, however, used quite loosely in this context, as it can include belief systems such as satanism and vampirism. There may also be cultural, psychological, and psychosexual elements to a ritual murder. The hallmark of a ritual killing is evidence of acts not necessary to bring about death. For example, bite marks, excessive violence, and sexual assault may be found in connection with a ritual killing (Jegede, 2014). Ritual killings were hitherto traditional religious practices in many communities across Africa. However, the emergence of colonialism and Christianity that came with it led to the acclaimed elimination of such practices. Nevertheless, in recent times, the emergence of ritual killings in different parts of the country has become a worrisome threat to national insecurity (Igbinovia, 2018). 

According to Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary, "Ritual" means all the rights or forms connected with a ceremony; a way of conducting a religious service. Killing is the art of putting someone to death or causing their death. Now fusing both words together, ritual killing is an act of terminating life as part of the rights associated with a ritual or part of a religious service. It means putting human being to death as part of a religious sacrifice (Salihu, 2012). The term” ritual killing” therefore, is a social menace whereby human beings are offered as an object of sacrifice to a deity or god to appease or request for a favor. Human sacrifice involves killing of a living creature as a ritual offering to a god or spirit, usually in expectation of a return in the form of good fortune. For these purpose whole or severed parts of human being, such as the head, genitals, breasts, eyes, intestine, arms and legs as well as exhumed dead body or its severed parts are used (Bisong and Ekanem, 2014).

Ritual killing and other related ritual are prohibited in Nigeria. Section 210(f) of the constitution criminalized anyone that “makes or uses or assists in the making, use or possession of which has been prohibited by an order as being or believed to be associated with human sacrifice or other unlawful practice.” Section 210(e) further prohibited the “possession of human remains which are used or are intended to be used in connection with the worship or invocation of any juju.” (Oyewole, 2016). Ethically, ritual killing and other related practices is crime against humanity, public peace and peaceful co-existence. This barbaric act wherever it exists indicates break down of moral and ethical standards (Issah, Amali & Ismail, 2016). 

The menace of ritual killing has been curbed if not eliminated in most countries of the world especially the developed economy of the world. It is however heartbreaking to know that countries in Africa are still battling with this ugly situation without respite in sight (Jimoh, 2018).  Statistics released by the Force Criminal Investigation Department of the Nigeria Police Force have revealed that incidences of ritual killings are on the rise in the country. The report added that the perpetrators of the satanic act cut across both the low and the rich in the society. This include the poor, who want to get rich with ease and are assured by native or witch-doctors that they could cross over to the other side of life if they can provide listed human parts (Patrick, 2020). There have been several cases of kidnapping reported by media houses on regular basis without any traces of many of the victims thereafter.  Some of the victims of kidnapping are seen later with their body mutilated and vital organs of the body missing. It is suspected that the majority of these victims were abducted for ritual rather than ransom or any political objectives (Jimoh, 2018).

1.2 Statement of the problem 

In the last few years or so, our traditional norms have seriously been threatened by vanity or material life as displayed by various foreign media contents. This has changed our perception and orientation, moving us away from religion and patriotism towards materialism which has led to moral decadence. The causes of such decay can be traced to the collapse of family institution, lack of gainful employment for parents and school dropouts, preferential treatment of the rich against the honest and the knowledgeable in the society, corruption, poverty; inflation and adoption of social practices hence prompting young people into get rich quick method viz prostitution, robbery, kidnapping and the chief of all ritual killing. Salisbury (2012) noted that those who practice ritual killings believe them to be acts of spiritual fortification. Motivations to carry out these acts include the use of  human body parts for medicinal purposes  and  the  belief  that  human  body  parts  possess  supernatural  powers  that  bring  prosperity  and protection.  According to Igwe (2010), many young people  still  believe  that  charms and  ritual sacrifices can  fortify them  spiritually,  enhance  their  fortunes  in business and during elections,  or protect  them from harm, disease,  poverty,  accident, death or destruction. These  beliefs  have  been  identified  to  further  encourage  some  youth  to  participate  in  ritual  murders  to appease deities, pray for supernatural favours, ward off misfortune or create mystical wealth hence endangering their moral development.

With  these  recurrent  incidences  of  ritual  killings  in  the  country, one is forced to ask why such brutal and barbaric act persists and what effect will this contribute to social and cultural values especially to the security of citizen Although various explanations have  been offered  by  scholars  and  many social  scientists. While some scholars blame the problem on the socio-economic conditions in the country especially as ritual killings increase in  periods of economic hardship; some argues that home video story lines on ritually acquired wealth has contributed to ritual killing as youth and adolescent tend to practice what they watch. Others scholars have also argue that traditional beliefs in fetish and ritual religious practices have permeated the prevalence of ritual killing twenty-first century. While these reasons are valid, no study has been directed on the consequence of these immoral acts on societal values. Thus, it is against this background that this study seeks to examine media coverage of ritual killing in Nigeria. 

1.3 Objectives of the Study

The objectives of this study include:

1. To find out the level of coverage given to ritual killing by Daily Sun newspapers

2. To find out whether Daily Sun newspaper carry editorials on ritual killing

3. To find out how often Daily Sun newspaper carry report on ritual killing in Nigeria

4. To examine the prominence the selected newspaper give to issues on ritual killing in Nigeria

5. To know the direction of reports on ritual killing covered in the selected newspaper

1.4 Research Questions

1. What is the level of coverage given to ritual killing by Daily Sun newspapers?

2. Does Daily Sun newspaper carry editorials on ritual killing?

3. How often does Daily Sun newspaper carry report on ritual killing in Nigeria?

4. What prominence do the selected newspaper give to issues on ritual killing in Nigeria?

5. What is the direction of ritual killing issues covered in Daily Sun newspaper?

1.5 Significance of Study

In many ways, this study would be significant. First, the issue of ritual killing in Nigeria directly or indirectly affects every home. Therefore studying and analysing the media coverage on issues of ritual killing is sine qua non to the Nigeria's overall security since it will serve as an insight into the circumstances under which ritual killing becomes societal issue.

Also, it will advance the information frontier in the field of mass communication and act as a knowledge repository and also add to the literature available in the field of mass communication. In addition, the concerns of ritual killing in Nigeria have become a serious matter and demands ample attention by all and sundry. It will help Government and other Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) to assess how far the print media has covered issues bothering on ritual killing. Moreover, it will serve as a reference material for future researchers.

1.6 The scope of the study

This study covered a period of one year. The Investigation was carried out using Daily Sun newspaper to study the issues on ritual killing from the month of September 2020 to August 2021. The newspaper was chosen because it has made marks in Nigerian journalism and has high circulation strength. It also ascertained how the print media as the watchdog of the society and agenda setting machinery has fared in the coverage of issues bothering on ritual killing in Nigeria. Since it is often the mass media that raise issues upon which public opinion is expressed. 

1.7 Limitation of the study

A lot of problems were faced when carrying out this study. The first big restriction was the time the study was supposed to be finished, combined with the fact that the research was performed alongside regular academic work. Another key quandary was finance owing to the present inflationary trends to the country transportation problems and risk of being on the road to various libraries, for vital information and materials. Inadequate literature was the third major concern, as ritual killing is an issue that has not been properly and thoroughly studied. This study was able to produce meaningful materials that seem important to the subject, despite the above set backs. 

1.8  Definitions of Terms

Press: Journalist and photographers that work for newspapers and magazines.

Coverage: Reporting of news, stories, issues and event in the newspaper.

Ritualism - Also known as Ritual killings is a violent and extreme type of criminal homicide in which vital organs of the victim are excised by the slayers for use in “sacred” rites.

Newspaper: It is unbound, printed publication issued at regular intervals, which presents information in words, often supplemented with picture.

Daily Sun: star that shines in the sky during the day and gives the earth heat and light and a private newspaper that publishes news on daily basis in Nigeria.