SOCIAL WORK INTERVENTIONS ON THE IMPACT OF PEER PRESSURE ON YOUTH INVOLVEMENT IN RITUAL KILLINGS IN OVIA NORTH EAST LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF EDO STATE.

ABSTRACT

This study investigated social work intervention on the impact of peer pressure on youth involvement in ritual killings in Ovia North East Local Government Area. Four (4) research questions were raised for the study. The study adopted survey research design. The instrument for data collection was a questionnaire; it was built around the research question by the researcher and validated by the researcher’s supervisor. Data collected were analyzed using frequency count, percentages, mean and standard deviation.

The major findings of the study are as follows: the underlying causes and motivations that lead youth in Ovia North East to become involved in ritual killings include: the desire to feel among, the crave for riches, Poverty, and the desire to have the capacity to afford the good things of life. the social and psychological consequences of youth involvement in ritual killings on both individuals and the community include: Untimely death of loved ones, Loss of man power, Violation of social laws and Suicidal behavior. The study recommended that social work interventions that can be employed to mitigate the impact of peer pressure and prevent youth involvement in ritual killings include; Modifications to family law and justice system, social worker and the government should join hands to put punitive measures to be meted on perpetrators of ritual killings; Social worker should create awareness on the dangers of involving in ritual killings, Social worker should counsel youths on the benefits of legal hustling  and  that Social workers should educate the youths on how to resist peer pressure.