Menace of cultism in Nigeria: A call for collective action

By Eshiemokha. R. Irene

FROM being a problem supposedly confined to university campuses, cultism in Nigeria has now grown to become a threatening vice across the country. The large-scale criminal activity aided by the influence of hard drugs has gradually expanded into a major source of concern working against our security and collective liberty. In fact, its overall destructive tendencies and rampant prevalence call for urgent concerted efforts to eradicating the social problem in our society. For instance, in Nigeria, cultism has become a cause for worry in tertiary institutions, such that students lured into the detrimental vice, engage in spontaneous violent activities that often lead to disruption of the peace and quiet in academic communities and most times lead to human carnage. Cultism in Nigeria started a long time ago in the 1950s with the Pyrates Confraternity that was reportedly formed by Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka and six students at the University of Ibadan. As of the time, it was known for social activism and opposition to corruption. And its goals were noble: to combat colonial oppression, to advance social justice, and to drive intellectual arguments. Members were bonded by notions of integrity and service to the nation.

However, over the decades, the avowed ideals of such confraternities have been grossly eroded. And what started off as movements for social change, has degenerated into violent criminal organisations. Today, cult groups engage in condemnable and abominable acts—brutal killings, kidnappings, extortion, and even drug trafficking, which are clearly at variance with the vision of the founding fathers. Nowadays, cultists recklessly wield power for intimidation and violence, subjecting earring members to brutish mistreatment. The modern Nigerian cult groups judging by their violent activities, are wolves in sheep’s clothing—dangerously malicious like terrorist organisations. They commit all manner of crimes that brazenly undermine the nation’s security and further destroying the image of the country before the prying eye of the international community. Even some cults operate as murder-for-hire groups that carry out heinous assassinations on political or personal grounds. Others, yet, are involved in the illicit sex trade, through organising rings of prostitutes and taking advantage of the vulnerability of people.

Additionally, Internet fraud, otherwise known as “Yahoo Yahoo”, is another area employed by cultists to rob both unsuspecting foreigners and Nigerians alike. Sadly, these prohibitive activities have also dented the integrity of our dear nation and derogated Nigerians as scammers.

Cult groups are not only involved in trafficking of illicit firearms, they are also complicit in trafficking of humans, particularly teenagers across the borders for exploitation, and narcotics. Suffice to say that all of these criminal activities adversely impact on nation’s credibility among the comity of nations. Many innocent people have lost their lives to crossfire that unexpectedly break out between rival cults in public spaces. A case in point is a violent cult clash which broke out in Rivers State in 2021. Rival cult groups known as the Icelanders and the Greenlanders were entangled, leaving at least 20 people dead.  Another bizarre incident occurred in Benin City, the Edo State capital in 2022. A bloody clash between the Black Axe and Eiye confraternities left over 15 people dead. And as the violence spilled into other parts of the city, the cultists opened fire and even used machetes against each other. Many innocent residents were caught in the crossfire, with properties running into millions destroyed in parts of the city. That scenario painted a dismal picture of how deeply cultism has been accountable for sudden deaths of Nigerian citizenry.

That apart, cultists seek territorial control and supremacy and, it is also not surprising that they often instigate violence to create fear and chaos within multiple communities. There is an instance of a community that was invaded by cult members who opened fire indiscriminately without choosing their targets, and in the process, killing innocent and unlucky women and children passersby. Nevertheless, cultism viewed holistically, depicts the failure of the state in creating opportunities for its citizenry. And this lapse on the part of those in the corridors of power has driven productive citizenry, particularly the youth to join illegitimate groups. In a society bedeviled by unemployment, poverty, and little chances of advancement in life, cults promise all of these, in addition to easy money and a sense of belonging. That is apart from the many irresistible enticements which make cultism quite an alluring option for many young Nigerians. Evidently, therefore, tackling the disturbing trend of cultism in our society calls for an all-inclusive approach involving the government, religious and traditional institutions.

Furthermore, the legislature should also consider passing into law anti-cultism legislation. Such legislation should highlight severe provisions to deter involvement in cult activities and declare cults group a terrorist organisation. The legislation should also squarely deal with enforcement officials in league with cultism or aiding and abetting cultists, to deter others. Besides, the law should make it mandatory for states within the federation to constitute anti-cultism task forces while states with alarming rates of violence connected with cult activities, like Edo and Rivers, should be given adequate budgetary allocation for weapons, vehicles, and training. In addition, it is imperative for judicial reform to consider policy recommendations to ensure timely and fair prosecution of cases against the cults. However, this calls for the provision of sufficient resources to the judiciary so as to expedite the cases. An accountable and transparent legal process will rebuild the confidence of people in the justice system.

It is expedient that the government take a cursory look at the plight of cultists under prosecution and draw up programmes tailored to rehabilitating cultists and teaching them marketable vocational skills, such as carpentry, electrical work, coding, and digital marketing. This way, once discharged from prison, such individuals will have other means of earning a decent living. A steady source of income, no doubt, will prevent ex-convicts from going back to their previous way of life.

And all of these will be helpful in smoothly integrating them into the community.

Government must, as a matter of necessity, approve comprehensive anti-cultism programmes at schools and universities. Because there is a dire need for intensive enlightenment of students across all levels of our education system on the negative impacts of cultism and being a cult member.

Counseling units in our education system should take on this responsibility to clearly spell out the many inherent dangers involved in cultism, including the long-term effects. Emphasis must be placed on stringent disciplinary action against any youth that indulges in cult activities.

Aside from that, government should also not lose sight of the importance of community vigilance. They should constitute vigilante groups or neighbourhood within the community. These can help the police to bust cult activities with the cooperation of the community members.

Equally important is the need for massive investment in youth empowerment through education, gainful employment, as well as entrepreneurial opportunities. When there is assured future for the youth hinged on life-transforming opportunities and vocational training, they would resist any temptation to be lured into cultism.

This menace of cultism in Nigeria is not just a social problem; it is an indication of much deeper systemic issues. It is said, “Wherever you see smoke, there is fire.” There are proofs that the government, too, has been engaging cult groups to their political advantage— using cults for intimidation or settling scores with perceived opponents, or to rig elections.

Each year, an estimated 1,000 lives are lost to cult-related violence. These are not mere statistics, but potential doctors, lawyers, engineers, and technocrats whose dreams have been cut short through cultism.

How would the youth, the supposed leaders of tomorrow, take the nation out of the woods when it is not certain that tomorrow will come? The lives lost to cultism represent a tragic waste of human potential and an indictment on our society. Each of these people who get caught up in this vicious cycle could have contributed a great deal to the progress of our nation. And it is sad to reflect that incalculable lives have been sacrificed on the altar of corruption and, the nonchalant attitude of the powers that be.

Therefore, it is high time we shunned the culture of impunity and jointly built a society where justice, fairness, and equal opportunity for all are the watchwords. We must strive in unison to uproot cultism and domineering ‘sit down tight’ of a select few from our system so Nigerian youths can have a brighter and safer future.

*Rene Irene wrote in from Lagos*

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