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What Is Snake Bite Initiation: Cultism or Not?
Recently, there have been reports of a cult initiation procedure called “snake bite” being carried out on secondary school students in Asaba, Delta state.
Snake bite initiation refers to the act of introducing someone to an activity or starting a formal process known as “snake bite.” It is a way for individuals to become members of an organization or to demonstrate acceptance into a group.
Recently, there have been reports of a cult initiation procedure called “snake bite” being carried out on secondary school students in Asaba, Delta state.
However, this has raised several speculation. While some believe it is misinformation, other believe it may be associated with cultism. In this article, you will find out whether “snake bite” initiation is a form of cultism or a faux.
Origin Of The Snake Bite Initiation
The snake initiation saga caught the public eye after an activist named Harrison Gwamnishu shared videos and pictures showing marks on students allegedly caused by cult initiations in some primary and secondary schools in Asaba.
On May 24, 2023, Gwamnishu took to his social media pages to disclose these distressing incidents. According to him, a private school in Asaba is said to have subjected 61 students to an initiation process known as the “snake bite.” Alongside his statement, Gwamnishu presented videos and a picture displaying the marks on these students, urging parents to remain vigilant regarding their children’s well-being.
Snake Initiation Saga: Disturbing Cult Practices Allegedly Targeting Students in Asaba Schools
Describing the nature of the initiation, he wrote, “The video of the snake bite initiation in Asaba. We identified 61 Primary/Secondary School students in a private school in Asaba. They don’t use stones or razors. It’s paper and incantation.” Gwamnishu emphasized the importance of parents examining their children for such marks, as they signify involvement in cultism. Termed as a “snake bite,” this mark has already been observed in certain secondary schools across Delta State.
Gwamnishu submitted all the evidence to the State Ministry of Education for investigation. He reported, “We gave the Ministry of Education in Asaba all the evidence on the student snake bite issue. They told us to write a letter and assured us they will investigate. The Divine Ambassadors Group of Schools at 74 Road, Asaba, has more than 61 students with snake bite marks.”
While expressing concern for the welfare of children, Gwamnishu revealed that he received threatening calls and demands to delete the videos regarding the snake bite initiation expose. He went ahead to appeal for immediate government intervention to uncover the truth behind these disturbing incidents.
Police Intervention and Discovery
The Delta State Police Command has responded to the viral video clips circulating on social media. After conducting a thorough investigation, they have determined that the video posted by the activist is false. The police urge parents to remain calm and disregard false information.
To address this concerning trend, Charles Aniagwu, the commissioner of Delta state, declared that the government will take decisive action by closing schools if students are found involved in cult-related activities.
The Ministry of Education also intends to strengthen its oversight role in order to prevent such incidents. Any student found guilty will face appropriate punishment as per the law.
Verdict: Not a cult initiation
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) confirmed that snake bite initiation is not connected to any cult. In the course of the investigation, the PPRO interviewed a student, leading to an interesting discovery.
One student explained that “snake bite” is actually a game involving a piece of paper.
Curious to see for himself, the PPRO asked the student to demonstrate the game on him, and the child agreed. The student used a small white paper to rub against the back of the PPRO’s hand, creating a mark in the exact spot that people wrongly associated with cult initiation.
It became clear that school children were simply engaging in a harmless trend, rather than participating in the cult initiation that the activist inaccurately portrayed.