Safeguarding Susceptible Youths and Communities in Anambra State against the Devastating Effects of Cultism and Violent Crime through School/Community-based Value-reorientation Programme

Abstract

In spite of the interventions and strategies of the government, religious and community leaders, security agencies, and anti-cultism units in academic institutions, cult-group killings and violent crime in Anambra State remain rampant, mostly due to failure to shift emphasis from outward approach to crime management to a more effective inward approach. This study is on the prevalence of cultism in Anambra State and the necessity of introducing value-reorientation campaigns to redirect the beliefs, values and energy of Anambra youths from cult activities and violent crime to positive preoccupations. Anchored on the Theory of Bevalhabism, the study adopted a mixed-method approach, including the use of qualitative and quantitative research design. Data were collected by means of open ended interviews, semi-structured questionnaire, Likert scale rating tool, and qualitative observation. Key stakeholders surveyed were Anambra youths (in and out of school), schoolteachers and administrators, religious and community leaders, security operatives, and the public. Field notes generated from the interviews were summarized and content analyzed manually. Secondary data were collected from the mass media, the internet, journals, textbooks, and other relevant extant literature. The study concluded that school/community-based ethical reorientation programmes aimed at transforming Anambra State youths and redirecting them towards positive pursuits is one of the most fundamental ways of minimizing and ultimately eliminating youth-driven cultism, cult-group killings and violent crime in the state. A key recommendation of the study is that the Anambra State government, through its relevant ministry, department or agency, should introduce school/community-based value-reorientation and character reformation programme as an instrument for transforming the beliefs, values and habits of cultists and vulnerable youths in the state.