Yahoo-Boy Buries Mother Alive For Money Ritual – EFCC

The Dark Descent of Ritual Crimes in Nigeria

The shocking revelation that a young man, identified as a “Yahoo boy,” buried his own mother alive in pursuit of wealth has reignited national outrage and deep concern about the growing menace of ritual-related crimes in Nigeria.

According to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the incident occurred after the boy, already entangled in internet fraud, was introduced to ritualists who demanded the ultimate sacrifice, his mother’s life, as a condition for supernatural powers to acquire riches.

The EFCC’s Acting Zonal Director in Makurdi, Effa Imo Okim, disclosed the disturbing details during a visit to the Nigeria Union of Journalists in Benue State. He explained that the boy, exploiting his mother’s trust during a holiday visit, struck her with a heavy object, tied her up, and buried her alive to fulfill the ritualists’ requirements.

This chilling act underscores how far some youths have strayed, moving beyond online scams into violent, ritualistic practices that threaten the very fabric of society.

Okim lamented that the activities of Yahoo boys have escalated from fraudulent schemes to acts of brutality, often targeting their own families. He warned that parents must be vigilant, observing the behavior and activities of their children to prevent them from falling prey to criminal syndicates. His remarks also addressed public concerns that the EFCC focuses more on internet fraudsters than corrupt officials. He clarified that while corruption among public officials remains a priority, the violent turn of Yahoo boys into ritualists poses an immediate danger to peace-loving citizens and demands urgent intervention.

This case is not an isolated incident but part of a troubling trend where desperation for quick wealth drives young people into ritual killings. It reflects a broader societal crisis, one fueled by poverty, unemployment, and the glorification of material success without regard for morality or human life.

The EFCC’s condemnation of the act is a reminder that law enforcement must intensify efforts to dismantle these criminal networks, but it also calls for a collective societal response. Communities, religious institutions, and families must confront the cultural narratives that normalize or romanticize wealth acquired through sinister means.

The story of a son burying his mother alive for money rituals is a grim symbol of moral decay. It forces Nigeria to reflect on the values being instilled in its youth and the urgent need to restore sanity.

The EFCC’s resolve to confront this menace is commendable, but lasting change will require more than arrests, it will demand a cultural reawakening that reaffirms the sanctity of life and the futility of wealth gained through bloodshed.

This tragedy is not just about one boy’s crime; it is about a society at a crossroads, deciding whether to continue down a path of destructive greed or to reclaim its moral compass before more lives are lost to the darkness of ritual practices.