Delta probes viral video showing students with ‘cult initiation marks’

The Delta state government has commenced a probe into a viral video showing primary and secondary students allegedly initiated into cultism.

On Wednesday, Harrison Gwamnishu, the activist, shared videos of students said to be part of cult groups at a private school in Asaba, the state capital.

In one of the viral clips, several students of the school were seen displaying their “initiation marks”.

Gwamnishu said the initiation process, known as “snake bite”, involves intense rubbing of paper at the back of one’s palm amid incantation until blood comes out.

The initiation, according to the activist, is targeted at children below 18 years.

In a statement on Thursday, Charles Aniagwu, the state commissioner for information, said any school found indulging in such an act would be shut down.

Aniagwu also said the state government has stepped up supervision of schools, adding that any student caught would be punished accordingly.

He blamed parents, teachers, religious leaders, and other stakeholders for their alleged negligence toward their children.

“Let nobody make any mistake to think that cultism is restricted to Delta. What we are suffering today flows from the failure of parents of yesterday, so parents of today must avoid such pitfalls,” he said.

“Beyond the fact that we have asked the supervisory ministry to increase supervision, the authority in any school where cultism is found will be called to answer.”