New Culprits in Town

A new Lagos state anti-cultism bill may begin to hold parents of cultists accountable for their children\’s misgivings. Lagos state and other states in southern Nigeria are home to ruthless gang-related wars. It has led to several deaths, destruction of properties and contributed to rising insecurity in the country. Security efforts in arresting perpetrators have not stopped new violence. There have been reported shootouts between the police and cultists mainly in many locations in Nigeria\’s southern region.

The new Lagos anti-cultism bill\’s logic may be drawn from the fact that the family is the smallest unit of society. Therefore, it is essential to address social issues from the root. Unarguably, many social vices have deep roots in the decay of family values. The inability of many families to perform their roles as agents of socialisation contributes to the proliferation of social deviants that may become security threats. The consequences of these parenting gaps are young people who are both victims and perpetrators of violence. This disregard for the family and community as essential agents of socialisation, moulding young individuals\’ character and creating a peaceful society for all has become a challenge.

The gaps in parenting are also found in more elaborate conflicts such as the insurgency in the northeast. Vulnerable children are violence risks. Between 2013 and 2019, the United Nations reported that the Nigerian Armed Forces detained over 3,600 children, including 1,617 girls for suspected involvement with non-state armed groups. In 2017 alone, about 1,900 children were arrested. Causative factors for these trends have usually been linked to poverty, unemployment of parents and youths with relatively no mention of positive parenting that is a beacon of light to a child\’s growth and development.

Discussions on parenting need to revolve around the greater good of society. Loss of family values and gaps in parenting impacts on social stability and safety of society members. Awareness must be increased in community groups, schools, religious institutions on the direct significance of positive parenting on society. Governments, civil society groups and community-based organisations have a role in redefining what values communities hold, especially in the face of proliferating violence in Nigeria. A Nextier SPD study reveals that some families in the war-weary northeast region are defying odds to redefine values and practices to support resilience and coping mechanisms in the face of the insurgency. This pinpoints the intrinsic nature of family and community values. While Lagos state is taking the lead to make parents the new culprits in town, the focus must be on their roles in creating the society that is safe for all.