Cultism: A Reoccurring Threat

Cultism is a reoccurring violent threat in Nigeria. Dating back to the 1950s, cult groups arguably had nothing to do with criminality or violence but have transformed into violence-centric associations as their modus operandi. Cultism has created an avenue for gang attacks, mostly orchestrated by the youth, often resulting in deaths. Youths have become the main perpetrators and victims of cult wars in Nigeria. According to the Nextier Violent Conflict Database, 203 incidents leading to 473 casualties were recorded between 1^st January 2021 to 24^th July 2023.

Cult wars occur in various regions of the country. However, they appear more widespread in the Niger Delta region, notably Rivers State. Data from the Nextier Violent Conflict Database reveal that Rivers State tops the list of reported cult activities, followed by Delta and Ogun States; notwithstanding, other states in Nigeria are also plagued by cultism, such as Benue, Lagos, Anambra, Ekiti, Osun and Edo. In what can be described as a chilling cult carnage, gang fights and street robberies, through terror gangs on rival gangs and residents both within and outside campuses, have characterised cultism in the states mentioned above. In Edo state , 53 suspected cultists were arrested for cult-related activities on 21^st July 2023.

Cultism over the years has become deeply rooted in Nigeria’s social fabric, especially in schools and youth organisations, as seen with various arrests of primary and secondary school student students yearly. Cultism in secondary schools also points out that in tackling the problem, it must go beyond its known area of prevalence, the tertiary institutions. Acts of cultism have also been discovered to be exported and operational beyond the Nigerian border. Marseille, France, is a notable spot where cult groups often confront each other in the streets through violence. This implies that acts of cultism are not just a domestic issue but an international issue that needs addressing. 

To curb cultism, the former Benue State governor Samuel Ortom, enacted a Law for the Prohibition of Abduction, Hostage Taking, Kidnapping, Secret  Cults and Similar Activities in the State and for Purposes connected therewith. The law is intended to stem the tide of cultism and related vices in the State by prescribing ten years jail term for offenders. Other responses, as seen in Delta at addressing the problem, have come in the form of a clampdown on schools found to have cult activities. At the same time, Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State declared the social menace as an act of terrorism. Despite various efforts at stamping out cultism, cult activities and deaths have often made headlines, as seen in the cult clash in Lagos.

Government, civil society organisations, and faith-based and cultural institutions must champion a value reorientation campaign to fight the prevalence of cultism. A multi-stakeholder approach is necessary to redefine social norms and values. There is a need to address socio-economic conditions that foster cult activities and other forms of violence by promoting mass employment development in both the public and private sectors. Several government schemes (such as the Presidential Amnesty Programme and the Anchor Borrowers’ Programme) may be used to promote cooperative societies that can serve as a source of capital for youngsters interested in small and medium-sized businesses. Recognising that cultism extends beyond the Nigerian borders, there is a need for closer bilateral relations for a unified approach to curbing cultism.

Recommended Reading

• Ending Cultism and Gang Wars
• Ending Cultism in the Niger Delta
• Cult Wars in Nigeria