THE GET RICH QUICK SYNDROME AND THE PREVALENT CASES OF RITUAL KILLINGS. A STUDY OF AWKA SOUTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF ANAMBRA STATE.

ABSTRACT This study investigated the "get rich quick syndrome" and the prevalent cases of ritual killings: a study of A wka South Local Government Area of Anambra State The study also looked at root causes of the get trich quick svndrome, how it relates to ritual killings, effects of get rich quick mentality on the lives of the youths and measures to curb the negativity of the get rich quick mentality. Three theories were reviewed in this study namely: social learning theory, structural strain theory and Marxian theory. Structural strain theory was adopted as the theoretical framework. The mixed methods research design was used. The multi-stage sampling procedure made up of cluster and simple random sampling procedure was used in selecting a sample size of 204 respondents for the study. The quantitative data (i.e. questionnaire) were analyzed using descriptive statistics such as the frequency counts, simple percentages and graphic illustrations, while the qualitative data (in-depth interview) collected in the field were analyzed using the thematic method of data analysis. Two hypotheses were tested using chi-square (x²) test statistics. Findings show that the root causes of get rich quick mentality among youths include: societal pressure on individuals to become rich overnight, so much importance attached to wealth by society irrespective of the source, poverty, greed, unemployment and peer pressure. Effects of get rich quick mentality were found to include: involvement in illegal activities including ritual killing, untimely death, poor academic performance for those that are students and depression. Based on these findings, it was recommended amongst others that parents should ensure proper socialization of children to embrace hard work. Also,government and spiritèd individuals should sponsor radio and television programmes to enlighten residents of Awka South LGA on security measures to adopt in order to avoid becoming victims of ritual killers.