The Silent Evil: A Cry Against Moral Decay and the Exploitation of the Vulnerable

By Sam Agogo

There are moments in life when words fail to capture the depth of human depravity — when one is forced to confront how low humanity can sink in the pursuit of power, wealth, or pleasure. Today, our nation stands at such a dark crossroads. The rate at which people commit terrible, unthinkable acts — sometimes in the name of politics, dominance, or money — defies logic and shocks the conscience of any sane society.

What baffles me most is that these acts are no longer hidden in the dark corners of moral corruption; they now occur openly, among men and women who parade themselves as elites and leaders. They wear expensive suits, drive luxurious cars, and boast of wealth that has no traceable source — yet behind their glittering façades lie the most grotesque forms of wickedness and abuse.

In all of this, one of the most horrifying and shameful practices I’ve encountered is the violation of vulnerable children and young people — a practice so vile that even animals would recoil from it. It is a desecration of innocence, a moral abomination, and an affront to both humanity and God.

I remember an experience from my secondary school days that left an indelible mark on my heart. I was a young student, struggling financially and seeking help from a teacher I trusted. He promised assistance but lured me instead into a trap that nearly ruined my life. I was barely a teenager, naive and desperate, when this man — a supposed mentor — revealed his true, twisted intentions. That day, I fled for my life. Years later, when I returned to Bauchi, I saw him again. The memory hit me like a thunderbolt — the face of betrayal, of a man who should have guided the young but instead preyed on them.

Sadly, this is not an isolated story. Across Nigeria, countless boys and girls are being exploited by predators — people who use money, promises, or power to violate the innocent. Walk through our streets, look at the faces of children begging, sleeping under bridges, or roaming in markets, and you will see the silent victims of this moral plague. Many of them are not just homeless — they are wounded souls, scarred by abuse and manipulation.

What is most disturbing is the warped justification that some of these wicked individuals give. They claim such acts are “for dominance,” believing that violating others gives them power. What foolishness! What a tragic distortion of humanity! Even beasts do not degrade themselves to such depths. This ideology of conquest through corruption is a spiritual sickness — one that eats away at the very fabric of society.

The Nigerian law is clear: anyone involved in acts of sexual exploitation, abuse, or coercion should face the full wrath of justice. Our legislators, in their wisdom, have provided penalties — up to 14 years imprisonment — for those who engage in such abominable acts. Yet, what use is a good law if it is not enforced? How many predators walk freely today, shielded by influence, money, or titles? How many more children must suffer before our law enforcement agencies wake up to their sacred duty?

It is time for a moral uprising. It is time to pull our children out of the grip of wicked men and women. No one — no teacher, politician, religious leader, or self-proclaimed elite — should be above the law. The police, the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), and all relevant authorities must act decisively. Those who prey on minors and vulnerable citizens must be hunted down, prosecuted, and punished, regardless of who they are.

To the children and young people who have endured such horrors: speak out. Your voice matters. Silence only empowers evil. Report every act of violation — no matter who is involved. Let no fear silence your cry for justice. To the parents, teachers, and guardians: be vigilant. Evil thrives in secrecy. Protect your children from those who disguise corruption with charm and deceit.

To the government and faith institutions: rise up to defend morality and justice. Preach righteousness, not hypocrisy. Train men to lead with character, not lust for control. Remind society that every child is sacred — a divine trust that must never be defiled.

If we fail to protect our children, we lose our moral authority as a nation. The future we hope for will be built on the tears of the violated — and history will judge us harshly for our silence.

May God arise and expose every predator hiding under the mask of respectability. May our nation awaken from this moral slumber and remember that no wealth, no power, no pleasure is worth the price of another person’s dignity.

For Comments, Reflections and Further Conversation:
📧 Email: samuelagogo4one@yahoo.com
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