Anambra Police Calls for Useful Information in Identifying Persons in Viral Video of Alleged Cult Initiation of a Minor
In what has become a troubling reflection of moral decay and youth vulnerability in Nigerian society, the Anambra State Police Command has reacted strongly to a viral video circulating across social media platforms that purportedly shows a group of young boys allegedly involved in a cult initiation ceremony involving a minor. The disturbing clip, which has sparked outrage and public condemnation, reportedly captures the moment the minor—believed to be under 14 years old—was surrounded by older boys who were seen making him perform rituals that appear to symbolize cult allegiance.
In a statement released by the command’s spokesperson, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, the police described the act as not only criminal but also a deep affront to public morality, child safety, and communal values. Preliminary analysis, according to Ikenga, suggests that the scene may have taken place within a community in Anambra State, although the exact location remains unverified. The police noted that the command has launched an aggressive intelligence-driven investigation to trace the origin of the footage, identify the individuals involved, and ensure the safety and rehabilitation of the minor seen in the clip.
Ikenga further revealed that the Commissioner of Police, CP Ikioye Orutugu, has ordered an immediate multi-agency investigation into the case, describing it as an “unacceptable act of criminal indoctrination.” The Commissioner, according to the statement, has directed specialized operatives from the Anti-Cultism Squad, the Juvenile Welfare Unit, and the State Intelligence Department to collaborate in uncovering the truth behind the disturbing visuals. Their tasks include verifying the authenticity of the footage, locating the minor, identifying and arresting the perpetrators, and ensuring that the victim receives psychosocial support and protection.
“The Commissioner condemns, in the strongest possible terms, any form of child abuse, indoctrination, or forced initiation,” the statement read. “Acts such as these will not be tolerated under any circumstance within Anambra State. Every child deserves protection, education, and dignity, not to be coerced into criminality by peers or adults exploiting their vulnerability.”
Ikenga emphasized that the police are particularly alarmed by the involvement of minors in cult-related practices—a trend that has become a growing concern in schools and rural communities across the state. He explained that these early exposures often serve as gateways to more dangerous criminal behavior in adulthood, stressing the importance of community vigilance and parental involvement.
He also encouraged members of the public to assist the ongoing investigation by providing credible and actionable intelligence. “The command appeals to anyone who recognizes the faces or environment shown in the video to contact the police immediately through emergency numbers 112, 07039194332, or the PRO on 08039334002. All information will be treated with utmost confidentiality, and the identities of informants will be fully protected,” Ikenga assured.
The spokesperson also highlighted that the viral video underscores the urgent need for societal introspection, particularly on the moral guidance being offered to young people. He lamented how peer pressure, lack of supervision, and social media exposure have increasingly contributed to the normalization of criminal subcultures among youths.
According to him, the police command has been carrying out community-oriented campaigns across various local government areas in the state, targeting secondary schools, youth groups, and religious institutions. These sensitization drives, he said, are part of the command’s broader effort to curb cultism, drug abuse, and related crimes through preventive education rather than reactive enforcement.
Security analysts have also weighed in on the matter, warning that the recurrence of juvenile involvement in cultism points to systemic failures in both education and community policing. Many note that cult groups, once confined to universities, have now infiltrated secondary schools and even primary communities, exploiting the innocence and curiosity of children.
A criminologist based in Awka, Dr. Cyril Nwankwo, explained that the proliferation of youth cult groups has been fueled by unemployment, peer validation, and the erosion of traditional mentorship structures. “Children are now being raised in environments where violent behavior and gang loyalty are glamorized,” Nwankwo said. “The presence of smartphones and the internet only amplifies their exposure to dangerous ideologies.”
He further urged the Anambra State government to work in synergy with the police to institute a community-level monitoring framework that identifies at-risk children before they are drawn into cult-related activities. “Beyond arrests, rehabilitation must become a core part of the state’s response strategy,” he emphasized.
Meanwhile, civil society organizations such as the Women Advocates for Child Protection Network (WACPN) have called for immediate psychosocial intervention for the minor involved in the viral video, stressing that the child is as much a victim as a participant. “This is not just a law enforcement issue—it’s a humanitarian one,” said the group’s coordinator, Mrs. Nneka Okoye. “Children caught in such circumstances are victims of manipulation, and unless we provide trauma therapy and reintegration support, the cycle will continue.”
The group also appealed to religious and traditional leaders to reassert moral guidance within their communities. According to Okoye, “When children find no positive role models in their environment, they turn to street mentors—people who mislead them with promises of power and belonging.”
The Onitsha Archdiocesan Youth Council (OAYC) echoed similar sentiments, calling for increased collaboration between the Church and law enforcement agencies. In their statement, they urged the Anambra State Ministry of Education to introduce “anti-cultism clubs” in schools, designed to sensitize students about the dangers of cult activities and promote moral discipline.
Public reaction to the video has been one of shock and anger, with many Nigerians taking to social media to demand justice. Some users tagged the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) and the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), urging both agencies to monitor the investigation closely.
A parent in Nnewi, Mrs. Ifeoma Odu, expressed dismay over the incident, saying, “This is not the Anambra we knew. Parents must wake up. We can’t leave our children to be raised by the streets and then blame the police when things go wrong.”
For others, the video reignites the debate over the role of technology in enabling moral corruption among children. A digital rights advocate, Chidi Anazodo, cautioned that unrestricted internet access without proper guidance is exposing minors to harmful online communities that glorify violence, occult practices, and sexual exploitation.
The Anambra State Government, through its Ministry of Youth and Social Development, has also promised to support the police investigation. The Commissioner, Mrs. Chinwe Iloghalu, stated that her ministry would provide welfare support to the rescued minor and partner with the police to develop long-term prevention mechanisms.
“The government will not allow any child in Anambra State to be trapped in cycles of exploitation,” she said. “We will ensure that the minor involved in this incident receives the care, education, and counselling necessary to reclaim his future.”
The incident has once again placed the spotlight on the larger issue of cultism in Nigeria, a menace that continues to claim lives, disrupt communities, and erode moral values. In many parts of the country, particularly in the South-East and South-South regions, cult-related violence has been linked to scores of deaths among youths.
As the investigation unfolds, public attention remains fixed on how swiftly the Anambra Police will be able to identify and arrest those behind the viral video. While the outrage continues to spread online, one thing is clear—beyond policing, Nigeria’s collective conscience must rise to confront the crisis of youth moral collapse.
Until communities take ownership of their moral space and parents reclaim their role in value transmission, incidents like this will continue to recur. The viral video is not merely an isolated case—it is a warning signal that a generation is drifting, and unless society intervenes decisively, the cost will be borne by everyone.
ANAMBRA POLICE CALLS ON ANYONE WITH USEFUL INFORMATION TO ASSIST IN IDENTIFYING PERSONS SEEN IN VIRAL VIDEO OF ALLEGED CULT INITIATION INVOLVING A MINOR
The Anambra State Police Command has intercepted a disturbing video circulating across social media platforms, allegedly showing a group of young boys engaging in an unlawful cult initiation ceremony involving a minor.
Preliminary review of the footage suggests that the incident may have taken place within a community in the State, and the acts portrayed in the video are not only criminal but also deeply offensive to public morals, safety, and the protection of minors who remain one of the most vulnerable groups in the society.
Consequently, the Commissioner of Police, Anambra State Command, CP Ikioye Orutugu fwc minps Phd has ordered an immediate investigation into the incident. He has also directed specialized operatives of the Anti-Cultism Squad, Juvenile Welfare Unit, and the State Intelligence Department to work collaboratively to Verify the authenticity and origin of the video, Identify the victim and ensure his safety and wellbeing, Identify and apprehend all individuals involved or complicit in the act
The CP condemns in strong terms any form of child abuse, indoctrination, harassment, psychological grooming, or forced initiation, stating that such acts will not be tolerated under any circumstances in the State. He therefore called on any member of the public with credible information that can assist the ongoing investigation to come forward. Voluntary information may also be reported through the following contact channels 112, 07039194332, or the PRO on 08039334002.
The Command has further assured that the identity of informants will be protected and all reports treated with utmost confidentiality.
To this end, the CP reassures Ndi Anambra and residents of the State that the Command remains firmly committed to protecting children, combating cultism, and enforcing the law decisively to ensure safety and peace.
SP Tochukwu Ikenga
Police Public Relations Officer
Anambra State Police Command, Awka24th October 2025