Chief Commissioner of the Scout Association of Nigeria, Dave Padopas-Awunah, has said no fewer than 20 formidable cult groups operate in the country.

At a press conference to announce the organisation in Abuja, he said authorities were disturbed by emerging vices and drug abuse involving children and youths across the federation.

Padopas-Awunah promised that his association had put in place machinery to fight the menace.

A study by the group, he said, revealed that there were 20 formidable cult organisations operating in Nigeria.

He noted that elsewhere in Africa, the problem of child soldiers prevails, but in Nigeria, vices like armed robbery, organ harvesting, cultism and drug abuse are prevalent among the youths.

He said: “There is recruitment of child soldiers elsewhere, such that they go into war. But here, there is recruitment of children, five to 10 years, into cultism.

“From our study, we have 20 formidable cult groups operating in Nigeria. The situation is quite precarious.”

The chief commissioner indicated an impending amendment of the Nigerian Boys Scout Act to rechristen the Scout Association of Nigeria and make scouting compulsory in schools.

In his address, Director of World Scout Bureau Africa, Dr. Frederick Kama Kama, said governments on the continent needed to collaborate with their scouts to check associated prevailing ills among young people.

He lamented that most children fall into the wrong hands due to lack of education and proper care.

Kama explained that his organisation was working round the clock, employing different platforms to salvage child soldiers and create a new life for them.

“What I am saying about education here is not necessary for them to go to formal school. These child soldiers are forced to do different terrible things. So, we are looking at all the issues that are affecting the children from different perspectives. We are looking at a holistic approach through our programmes,” he clarified.

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