LASU Student Ritual Killer.

The story of the LASU student killed for ritual purposes is saddening, to say the least. She was not only killed, but her killers removed her heart, cooked it and then ate it so that they would be rich on the advice of a self-acclaimed “pastor”.

This is the 21st century when science and technology rule the world and turn entrepreneurs into billionaires. The world’s richest people today feature either scientists or those using science to earn money: Bill Gates, Mark Zuckerberg, Jeff Bezos, Carlos Slim . . . you name them. Even our own Aliko Dangote, the richest African, used science – not magic – to attain his status.

Dangote makes money by mining limestone (chemical formula: CaCO3) and gypsum (CaSO4·2H2O), which are then mixed to produce cement that we buy at N2,700 per bag. His upcoming refinery in Epe/Lekki will use even more science to make him more money. Still, some Nigerians hope to get rich by eating human hearts.

Who is to blame? Some of my friends blame our movie industry for promoting magic and witchcraft. Others blame religion, most of which claim that magic exists when the proof is lacking in the modern world.

On my part, I blame government for failing to educate school pupils and students on the values of scientific principles, and for failing to diligently prosecute pastors, Imams, and herbalists who incite the public to commit crimes for money-making rituals.

What is your own opinion? How do we solve the problems of ignorance, greed and ritual killings in Nigeria?
-Dr Nura Alkali.