EXPLORING THE LINK BETWEEN POVERTY, FRAUD, AND RISING INCIDENCE OF RITUAL KILLINGS FOR WEALTH IN NIGERIA

Abstract

This study investigates the interconnectedness of poverty, fraudulent activities, and the alarming trend of ritual killings for wealth accumulation in Nigeria, with a focus on the transformative role of education in addressing these issues. Guided by the strain theory, the research highlights how societal pressures to achieve material success contribute to deviant behaviors, including fraud and ritual killings. The study employs qualitative approaches, drawing on secondary data, case studies, and surveys conducted in communities severely affected by these phenomena. Findings reveal that poor educational outcomes, unemployment, and societal glorification of wealth exacerbate these problems. The study identifies a critical gap in the role of education as a preventive and rehabilitative tool in mitigating deviant behaviors and shaping value systems. Recommendations include curriculum reforms, targeted poverty alleviation programs, and policies aimed at ethical reorientation through education. This research adds to the discourse by proposing a multifaceted approach to breaking the cycle of poverty and deviance in Nigeria.