02/03/2026
H0rrific DÂŁ in Delta: Int0xicated individuals searching for wealth through r!tu@ls?
There is an alarm!ng and unusual trénd emerging among the youth in Delta state, which is becoming increasingly concerning.
For example, what could drive a young man in his twenties to mĂșrdÂŁr his mother? Additionally, why have there been multiple rep0rts of young men r@ping their mothers or grandmothers and then strangling them to dÂŁ? These d!sturbing behaviors that are becoming more common among young adults are tr0ubling many respectable members of society.
Recently, in the Eku community, a young man was accused of r@ping his elderly grandmother, which is shocking, to say the least. A few months earlier, in the same area, a young boy was rep0rted to have kĂllÂŁd his mother on Echi road. According to reports, the boy and his mother visited a local shrĂne around 11 PM to consult a juju prĂest. The prĂest advised them to return the next day, stating it was too late for a consultation. On their way home, the boy, who was carrying a cutlĂ ss, stepped back from his mother and used the sharp edge of the wÂŁapon to slĂ sh her neck. The mother screamed and collapsed, blood pouring from her w0unds.
The incident, which occurred just a short distance from the juju prĂest's home, drew the attention of his family, who rushed to the scene and found the w0man lying in a po0l of bl00d. Fortunately, the boy who attacked her was still nearby, and they quickly subdued him while his mother was taken to a nearby h0spital. TrĂ gĂcally, she did not survive. The boy was subsequently handed over to the p0lice.
In Agbarho community, located in the Ughelli North Local G0vernment Area, about four months ago, another young boy rep0rtedly r@pÂŁd his mother and then str@ngled her until she diÂŁd.
In Okpare Olomu community, Ughelli South, an Anglican prĂest named Reverend Isaac Umurie was k!ll!ÂŁd in his sleep by his 28-year-old son, Ufuoma Umurie.
The state P0lice Public Relations Officer, Bright Edafe, confirmed this incĂdent when it occurred.
Rep0rts indicate that some of these cases are currently under investig@tion by the p0lice. It has been suggested that some of these acts may be committed under the inflĂșence of drĂșgs. However, there are still those who argue that the idea of m0ney-making rĂtu@ls is merely a myth.
Just a month ago, a community leader in Oghior, Udu Local G0vernment Area, Pa Chicago Okutu, tragically lost his life when his son, Saturday, allégedly set their house à blåze.
This raises a pressing question for concerned members of society: what could be causing these bizĂĄrre behaviors? Is it drug use or rĂtu@listĂc k!ll!ngs associated with Yahoo Yah00 activities (rituals for wealth)?
Originally, Yah00 Yah00 referred to local intÂŁrnet fr@ud, a term that gained popularity among young adults over the past two decades. However, its meaning has expanded to include wealth obtained from myster!oĂșs sources, including mĂșrdÂŁr for fĂn@ncial gain, commonly referred to as rĂtu@l kĂllĂngs.
Before these young men acquire sudden wÂŁ, many of them rely on commercial bicycle and tricycle (keke) operators, who are often aware of their methods.
In a conversation with the Vanguard regarding the al@rming trend among the youth, Mr. Joseph Ovie, a Keke driver in Warri, stated that substĂ nce abuse and Yah00 m0ney are interconnected. He explained that the obsessĂon with we@lth is leading many young individuals towards r!tu@l k!ll!ngs and drĂșg use. "Let me clarify. The juju prĂests they consult impose certain requirements. Sometimes, they demand the bl00d of loved ones, and in other instances, they explicitly instruct them to k!ll their parents and bring back b0dy parts," he remarked.
Joseph further elaborated that in order to follow the juju prĂests' orders, these young men resort to int0xicants to numb their humanity. "This is where the use of hard drĂșgs ties into the rĂźtu@l k!ll!ngs. To carry out these tasks, they consume hard subst@nces to eliminate any feelings of compassion or remorse. It is only after c0mmitting these acts that they begin to feel regret," he added.
Mr. Egwuono, an Okada rider, also shared his insights with the Vanguard, mentioning that he often transports many youths to these shrines. He noted that they have a different term for shrĂnes, referring to them as "l0cations."
"When those I transport to these 'l0cations' call me, if you overhear our conversation, you wouldn't understand it because they simply ask me to take them to the location. They usually p@y very well for the ride, which is why we Okada and Keke riders comply with their requests," he explained.
"The reality is that you cannot approach the tasks assigned to them with a clear mind if you want the m0ney to come. This is why they resort to various hard substĂ nces to maintain the right mindset," Egwuono added.
As Egwuono mentioned, the boys have adopted the term l0cation for shrinÂŁs. Another Okada rider, Misan, corroborated this. Misan stated that the pursuit of Yahoo money and the need to adhere to the juju priests' demands drive these boys to drug use. "You definitely need to be under the influence to harm your own child or friend for m0ney. You can't do it with a clear mind," he asserted.
Misan expressed that whenever the boys hire him to take them to "l0cations," he always prays earnestly to avoid any trouble. "They pay very well, but I always hope not to become a victim at these l0c@tions. They are aware that I usually inform some close contacts about the individuals I transported that day," he said.
The Vanguard learned that some of the substĂ nces they consume include mariju@na, which they refer to as wisdom leaves, C0lorado, L0ud, and others.
Fred, a young man running a beer parlour on Jakpa Road, mentioned that Yah0o0 boys mix various subst@nces to achieve int0xication. "Some donât stick to just one substance; they combine c0caĂne with ma*****na and tramad0l to get high. When they reach that state, some donât even realize their pants are falling off. Itâs quite alarming," he remarked.
Several individuals who spoke to the Vanguard called for community involvement to tackle this issĂșe. They emphasized that it is insufficient to leave the responsibility solely to the National DrĂșg LĂ w Enf0rcement Agençy (NDLEA). "Communities should take part. They need to establish community frameworks to collaborate with government agencies like the NDLEA and police to control sĂșbstance abĂșse," stated security expert Mr. Ibarko Mamus.
Pa Oghenevwede Amos, a local elder in Warri, expressed concern about the distressing situation for young men who find themselves idle at home after graduating from university.
He noted that frustration and depression are significant factors contributing to the drĂșg use and pursuit of Yahoo money among these boys.
"The Delta state and federal government should engage the youth and provide them with job opportunities," he urged.
©Vanguard Newspapers
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