October 13, (THEWILL) – The Scout Association of Nigeria, has raised the alarm over the operation of 20 formidable cult groups in the country.
Chief Commissioner of the Association, Dave Padopas-Awunah, who raised the alarm at a press conference in Abuja on Thursday, said authorities were disturbed by the development as well as incidents of drug abuse involving children and youths across the federation.
While the association was silent on the identity of the cult groups, Padopas-Awunah said his association has evolved strategy to fight the menace.
A study by the group, he said, revealed that there were 20 formidable cult organisations operating in Nigeria. He noted that elsewhere in Africa, the problem of child soldiers prevails, but in Nigeria, vices like armed robbery, organ harvesting, cultism and drug abuse are prevalent among the youths.
“There is recruitment of child soldiers elsewhere, such that they go into war. But here, there is recruitment of children, five to 10 years, into cultism. From our study, we have 20 formidable cult groups operating in Nigeria. The situation is quite precarious”, he said.
Padopas-Awunah also disclosed that am amendment of the Nigerian Boys Scout Act is underway to rechristen the Scout Association of Nigeria and make scouting compulsory in schools.
In his address, Director of World Scout Bureau Africa, Dr. Frederick Kama Kama, said governments on the continent needed to collaborate with their scouts to check associated prevailing ills among young people. He lamented that most children fall into the wrong hands due to lack of education and proper care.
