EXAMINING THE INTERSECTION OF SACREDNESS OF HUMAN LIFE ANDCONTEMPORARY YAHOO-PLUS TRENDS IN NIGERIA: A SOCIO-RELIGIOUS ANALYSIS

Abstract

The sanctity of human life remains a foundational tenet of traditional African worldviews and ethical frameworks. However, the rise of Yahoo-Plus; a form of cybercrime intertwined with ritual violence and money magic in Nigeria presents a severe existential threat to this value. Driven by the pursuit of immediate wealth, perpetrators undermine established social order and religious norms. Utilizing a socio-religious framework, this study examines the Yahoo-Plus phenomenon against traditional African and Christian conceptions of the sanctity of life. Drawing on insights from religious studies, anthropology, sociology, and theology, the paper interrogates the cultural and ethical erosion surrounding human dignity in contemporary Nigerian society. Ultimately, the study advocates for a renewal of the sacredness of human life, offering a multidisciplinary critique of ritualized financial crimes and proposing pathways toward moral and communal restoration.