Exposure to Voodoo Merchants on Facebook and Its Influence on Youth’s Engagement in Ritualism

Abstract

The contemporary Nigerian society is challenged by vices that undermine the peace and security of her citizens. Some of these acts are  believed to be perpetrated by the youths. Among these vices are drug and other substance abuse, internet fraud, otherwise known as  Yahoo Yahoo, sexual immorality, ritualism and others. Engagement in these practices lead to the loss of lives and the destruction of  human capital. No nation can attain reasonable development with the endless list of social vices eating up the better part of the  workforce, the youth. There have been cases when the Nigeria Police Force has paraded youths ranging from 17 to 40 years of age for  alleged ritual killings. Some of the suspects have confessed to getting information on the process online. This is given the availability of  voodoo merchants, who freely market charms and enchantments. Consequently, this study seeks to find out the influence of African voodoo merchants on youth’s engagement in ritualism. Social media has created a platform for African voodoo practitioners to interact  and promote their trade with the use of platforms such as Facebook Live, Reels, TikTok stories etc. This study is anchored on Cultivation  theory. The qualitative research design was adopted to gather data. The study found that youths are exposed to voodoo merchants on  Facebook, the merchants enjoy huge followership, few of the respondents have patronized the merchants and got positive results. The  study recommends among others that security agencies must prosecute voodoo merchants who prompt youths to engage in ritualism.