Trapped Between Tradition and Terror: Nigerian Man Fears for His Life Over Secret Cult Pressure and Forced Female Circumcision

  Trapped Between Tradition and Terror: Nigerian Man Fears for His Life Over Secret Cult Pressure and Forced Female Circumcision

For years, Oguntade Olakunle Oladimeji has lived in constant fear for his life, caught between the legacy of a powerful secret society and the protection of his faith and family. A member of the Oguntade Royal Family, Olakunle’s father and elder brother held prominent positions in the Reformed Ogboni Fraternity, a secret cult group known to exert deep influence and instill fear in the community.

After the deaths of his father in 2008 and his elder brother in 2018, both closely tied to the cult, Olakunle was pressured to fill the vacant position within the society. But his refusal to join the cult, rooted firmly in his Islamic beliefs, has come at a grave cost.

“They want me to join, but I cannot betray my faith,” Olakunle said. “Since I refused, they have threatened to kill me and my family, physically and spiritually. Even after relocating to different states, I receive calls telling me they know my new address and are coming for me.” Despite numerous reports to the Nigerian Police Force, Olakunle says no effective protection has been offered, leaving him vulnerable to attacks from a network that seems to operate with impunity. The threats extend beyond himself. Olakunle’s family has demanded that his daughters participate in the upcoming Oro and Egungun Festival—an event tied to ancient traditions, including the forced circumcision of female children, commonly known as female genital mutilation (FGM). His eldest daughter suffered this traumatic procedure as a child, and the psychological scars linger.

“I cannot allow my daughter to undergo the same pain,” he said. “The government may have banned this practice, but my family insists on keeping these traditions alive.”

FGM is internationally recognized as a violation of human rights, yet cultural practices like this persist in some Nigerian communities despite legal prohibitions. Human rights advocates warn that Olakunle’s story is not unique. “This is a complex mix of cultural heritage, secret societies, and human rights violations,” said Mr Makanjuola Rasak, a representative from Human Rights Organization. “Without intervention, many families live in fear, and children suffer irreparable harm.” Olakunle now seeks international protection and calls on Nigerian authorities and human rights groups worldwide to intervene. “I want peace and safety for my family,” he said. “I want my daughters to grow up free from fear and violence.”