Snake-Like Marks on Pupils Spark Fears of Cult Initiation in Ekiti Primary School, Police React

A private primary school in the Ikere area of Ekiti State recently became the centre of controversy following allegations by parents that pupils were being marked with symbols resembling snake bites, sparking fears of possible cult initiation.

Concerns were first raised by Mrs. Fisayo Ajayi, a trader and mother of 10-year-old Seun, a Primary 3 pupil at Bobas Nursery and Primary School. She said her son came home on June 24 with a fever and a strange wound on the back of his hand, which he initially claimed was from brushing against a wall while playing.

However, days later, a neighbourhood child and schoolmate revealed to Mrs. Ajayi that several boys in the school bore the same kind of wound. He alleged that the marks, which the children called “snake bites,” were administered by an unidentified boy who had visited the school for a Common Entrance exam. The boy reportedly created the marks by rubbing a piece of paper forcefully against their hands to mimic a bite or wound.

Alarmed by the account, Mrs. Ajayi confronted the school and reported the matter to the Area Command of the Nigeria Police Force in Ikere, accusing the school of failing to adequately address the issue or identify the child responsible. She also expressed concern that the incident might be linked to cult initiation and said other affected parents shared her fears, though many were unaware of the broader situation.

She claimed that her son and several others, some of whom she observed playing football, had similar wounds. Although she had reported the incident to the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), she said she was told that the agency had no jurisdiction because the school is privately owned.

Following her complaint, the police invited the school management and parents of the affected pupils for a meeting on June 30. According to Mrs. Ajayi, the police concluded that the marks were simply the result of innocent play among children and dismissed any suggestions of cult activity.

However, Mrs. Ajayi remained unconvinced, saying she was unsure if she would allow her son to return to the school, despite the police’s assurances and calls for calm.

Seun’s class teacher, Mrs. Oluborode, confirmed that the issue was resolved at the Area Command. She said that the incident was isolated to fewer than 20 boys out of over 300 pupils in the school. According to her, the child who introduced the practice was not even a student of the school but may have influenced others during an external lesson session.

The school management reportedly reprimanded the involved pupils and invited parents for a meeting to address the matter. While many parents attended, Mrs. Ajayi did not, and school staff believe her decision to escalate the issue online may have caused unnecessary panic.

Efforts to reach the General Manager of the school and the spokesperson of the Ekiti State Police Command, Mr. Sunday Abutu, were unsuccessful at the time of filing this report, as calls and messages went unanswered.