KIU Journal of Social Sciences

KIU Journal of Social Sciences Copyright©2019 Kampala International University ISSN: 2413-9580; 5(4): 159-166

Cultism and its Implication on Development: A Case Study of from 2003-2019

DEEDAM DORKA GODBLESS Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Rumuolumeni, ,

Abstract. This work examines the implication therefore recommended that the government of cult activities on the development of Rivers should deal decisively on any culprit according State. The origin of cultism was traced to the to the law without any preference. It was also cult activities in the various Universities in recommended that the parents should train their Nigeria. These cult groups subsequently initiated children in accordance with the biblical people who were not students. The politicians standard. who have the unquenchable desires to win election through unconstitutional means Keywords: Cultism, Development, sponsored these cult groups to unleash Mayhem Proliferation of arms, the political leaders, as well as to kill political opponents. The violence crimes. proliferation of cultism and its implication on development in Rivers State was located within 1. Introduction the context of Marxism conflict analysis, it was argued that the political class at the helms of The past three decades have really witnessed the affairs exercised their authority to maintain their most horrible and monstrous killing, wanton selfish and parochial interest by sponsoring cult destruction of properties, and disorganization of groups to eliminate political opponent. After the educational system as well as the larger some time, this culminated into multiple crises society. David and Oliver (2005) succinctly put that have claimed the lives of so many innocent that the proliferation of cult groups led to a very people. The incessant cult clashes and the hot competition for the available students problems associated with it (Kidnapping, killing, willing to join. It is believed in cult circles that burning of houses etc.) hampered the growth and the more the number of men you have, the more expansion of business in the state. Again more you will dominate your environment. Therefore, youths are running away from school because membership drive is a very important activity cultism offers quick money. Generally speaking, for cult groups. this has actually affected the development of the state. It was also found out that there is a The numerical strengths of all the cult groups in correlation between cultism and acquisition of tertiary institutions in Rivers state is increasing wealth. There is also a significant relationship as some students also willingly joined the band- between cultism and political wagon just to feel belong and to be protected patronage/appointment. It was also discovered within university environment. In the bid to that the more the cult activities, the higher the actualise their dominance in their environment, death rate and destruction of economic activities more secondary school students have been in the state. So many foreign companies and confirmed and forcefully initiated into their investors relocated to other states in the "Feeder teams". David and Oliver (2005) federation that are more peaceful. It was emphasized that the graduates of these "Feeder

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KIU Journal of Social Sciences teams" need no extra prodding to become full- numerous and it is difficult to identify who fledged cultists on entry into the University. cultist is. At present they are about 65% of the youths in Rivers State, they interacted and Ogunbamara (2000) asserts that secret cult interrelated on daily basis in their special activities are kept secrets and their meetings are languages that are difficult to decode by non- also carried out at odd hours of the day. There is members. The cultist employed some of the no public university in Nigeria that is totally free tactics and modus operandi of the security from cultism. Different cult groups are always agencies when carrying out their nefarious and attacking each other every semester; their dastardly acts. There is no community in Rivers constant clashes usually paved way for wanton State that is free from cultists, or that had not destruction of property and untimely death of been terrorized by cult related activities. members. It is important to point out that conflicts emanating from cult clashes on the 1.1 Objectives of the Study various campuses have really posed serious threat to the students, academic staffs and the The following are the objectives of the study: non-academic staffs. Beside the ordinary people on campuses, the lives of the cultists are also in - To examine the causes of cultism in great danger, hence some of their abstained from Rivers State. lectures and also find it difficult to meet up their - To examine the implication of cultism academic activities. This deplorable condition on the development of the state actually affected their academic pursuit and - To determines cult related activities and performances. violence conflicts - To proffer solutions to the problems So many people who were not students have identified. been initiated as members of the various cult groups at one time or the other in Rivers State. 1.2 Hypotheses In fact, belonging to cult group is now a way of life and a general feature of our society. The - The more the participation in cult focus of the youths have shifted from acquisition activities, the more the dividend of of education and meaningful skills that can put democracy food on their table tomorrow to cultism that - The more the participation in cult provided immediate wealth emanating from oil activities the more wealth acquired bunkering, arm robbery, kidnapping, - The more the participation in cult assassination, vandalization of oil pipes etc. it is activities, the more their education are important to point out that there activities have abandoned. really affected development of the state as - The more the cult clashes and wanton wanton destruction of property, incessant destruction the less the development of killings and shouting as well as kidnapping are the state. happening on daily basis.

The constant terrorization of the people and 1.3 Causes of Cultism violent destruction that people that characterized the state, posed severe threats to the people as Several youths and adults joined cults or got well as inestimable anxiety. The ugly seen in initiated into cult groups because of the and frightening condition described above following reasons: imparted negatively on development and peaceful co-existence in fact, it is indeed - People joined cult because of insecurity reasonable and wise to state that many on campus and their immediate companies and business men have relocated to environment. They are of the opinion other states of the federation that are peaceful that the moment they got initiated, no and free from cultism. The cultists are so

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one will be able to molest or Nigeria. That was when seven young men in intermediate them any longer. their afro centrism founded the pyrates - Others joined cult because of they were confraternity (PC). They emphasized that these forced by the cultists. These people have young men were led by Prof. Wole Soyinka, and no option but joined them out of threat. other members included the late Raph Opara, - They see it as a process of socialization Pius Oleghe, Frank Aig-Imoukhuede, Nathaniel and fraternization, as they are exposed Oyinola, Olumuyiwa Awe and Ben Egbuchelam. to people from other tribes, states, Local government and communities. He emphasized that they were propelled by the - Others joined because of what they zeal to fight what they referred to as Moribund intended to gain. To such people, it is convention, neo colonialism and tribalism and to the shortest cut to get rich quickly, since also defend humanistic ideals while promoting it exposes them to arm robbery, comradeship and Chivalry among members. kidnapping and illegal oil refining. They used to maintain order in every social - Some people get initiated because they gathering and also acted as police. They were want to enjoy the dividend of guided by what they referred to as the seven democracy. These youths served as rudder blades, and four compass points. These thugs and aids to politicians, and their were rules that guided and regulated their main duties are to snatch ballot boxes behavior. However, their activities were during election, shoot political enemies peaceful and orderly until some disgruntled and unleash all manner of violence so as members that were expelled from the to achieve their selfish aim. They want organization formed themselves into different to dominate their environment like the cult groups in other to fight the supremacy and Lion of the forest Hence they joined dominance nature of the pyrates confraternity on forces with others to intimidate and the various campuses. This action led to the harass the law abiding citizens so as to emergence of several cult groups such as the attract attention and recognition. buccaneers, Vikings, mafia, Blackaxe, Eiye, black, Braziers, Daughter of Jezebel, Black 1.4 Definition of Concepts berets, K.K.K. Other cult groups that are not so prominent and pronounce are as follows, the Cultism: This refers to a group of people whose dragons, Islands, the Secret sons of Satan, White activities are kept secret and behaved in Angels, the Vipers, Musketeer Fraternity, the unconventional manner as well as infringing on Barracudas, Eagle club, Cappa Vendelto etc. the Rights of people. Violence Crimes: This has to do with dangerous It is also important to state that these cult groups actions that are carried out by cultists, have also initiated students in the secondary murderers, criminals, criminals that claimed the schools and youths who are not in the lives of innocent people as well as destruction of University. Presently, in the various properties. communities in Rivers State and Niger Delta at large, we have countless number of cult groups 2. The Evolution of Cultism in Nigeria that constantly terrorized the villages on daily basis. Some of the cult groups operating in the Cultism was not known to Nigeria University villages are as follows, Deywell, Deygbam, before 1953. Opuwari (2000) asserts they the Green Landers, Islanders, Jagaban etc. emergence of secret cult in Nigeria Universities can be traced back to the early 1950s. In similar These cult groups used sophisticated weapons vein, David and Oliver (2005) pointed out that such as AK 47, Pump action, rifles, various the 1953/54 session of the University collage types of pistols, revolvers, acid, dynamites, Ibadan, now the University of Ibadan has gone matches, Axes, Knives etc. when carrying out dawn in the annals of history as the session that their operations. Today, there are no public gave birth to the first campus fraternity in University and public secondary schools

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KIU Journal of Social Sciences including communities that are devoid of cult Boue community in Khana local government groups in Rivers State. This implies that it has Area, a reprisal attack was launched by the really spread like a wild fire or epidemic disease Deywell against the Deygbam and all the men in the community chased. In April, 2019 about 23 3. Implication of Cultism Development men were killed in one day while the women and Academic Performance were spared. The same scenario was replayed in Zorsogho in the same local government Area by The most collectively and cherished dreams of the same group of cultist. This reprisal attack every individual in the world is to have peace claimed the lives of about 32 young men in one and to live in peace with one another. But it is day. one of the most difficult task to achieve especially in the 21st century that witnessed So many sons and daughters of Rivers State several remarkable and outstanding conflicts that have been killed by cult groups, for example, caused the death of several millions of people. Chief, A.K. Dikibo, Marshall Harry and Hon. Others were placed in deployable conditions and Monday Ndo, who was representing Khana perpetual bondage (Deedam, 2013). The constituency two in Rivers State House of incessant monstrous and barbaric killings Assembly were murdered in their cold blood at increased tremendously in the past three decades different point in time. Several communities in in Rivers state as a result of cult clashes in both Rivers State have been destroyed and deserted higher institutions and the communities in by the villagers at one time or the other general. communities like Bakana, Ogbakiri, Gwara, Baen, Ke, Ogu, Bolo, , , Bille, Presently, cult killings, kidnapping and , , Boue, Aluu, Sogho, Kpong, destruction of houses are common features of Choba, Ibaa. It is on record that Rivers State our state. No day passes without a gory news had not experienced this high and alarming rate and pictures of beheaded and battered corpses of monstrous killing before the introduction of lying dawn helplessly in their pool of blood. The democratic rule in 1999. Hence, it is strongly various communities in Rivers State are no believed in several quatres after careful longer saved for habitation. It is now an obvious scientific observations, that the cult clashes, fact that so many people especially prominent conflicts wanton destructions and death were men and women no longer go to their villages politically motivated. This argument points to because of the unwholesome and gruesome the fact that the political leaders in Rivers State killings that are going on. hired the services of the various cult groups to unleashed violence as well as intimidating their Dagogo (2018) avers that ever since the opponents during election. Sophisticated emergence of these cult groups, the residents of weapons were bought by the politicians and Port Harcourt particularly in Diobu and old Port distributed to these cult groups to silence their Harcourt Township areas, have lived under the opponents. threat of some of these vicious cult groups, the Icelanders and Greenlanders, and of course, their At every election since 2003, different cult affiliates, the Deygbam and Deywell. In similar groups used to brandish their guns at the polling vein Ebiri (2015) posits that incidents of major units, collation centers and at their various clashes between rival cult groups, Deywell and political rallies, without being arrested by the Deygbam in the northern part of police. The few that were arrested were released Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni local Government Area few hours, few days or weeks without being claimed as many as 16 people in July (2016). tried in a competent court of law. According to Peterside (2005) the 2003 Severally, there were reported cases of cult democratic process exacerbated violence as the clashes between rival cult groups, mostly people democratic party (POP) deployed its Greenlanders and Icelanders in the southern part incumbent identities to capture political of Degema Local Government Area. In Kono- strongholds outside areas of the party’s

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KIU Journal of Social Sciences influence. Thus idle youths that operated as Cultism is an agent of destruction and political thugs and militia groups were recruited underdevelopment in Rivers State. Several because of their fire-powers and were paid companies and business men ran away from the heavily for their service thereby transforming state because of the high level of insecurity violence into commodity, proceed and perpetuated by these cult boys. The content purchased in the democratic process. It is kidnapping at Omoku, the kalabari water ways, perhaps in this sense that, Poroma, Kpaa and East west road (/Emohua section) and Abel (2008) postulated that the proliferation of the Taabaa-Opuoko section in Khana local small arms and light weapons in the hands of Government Area made businessmen and non-states actors has been one of their biggest tourists to run away from Rivers State. security challenges confronting the state which is capable of throwing the state into anarchy and More importantly, the prevailing un- increase crime and violence. employment and consistent oil bunkering activities attracted so many youths who The proliferation of arms and small weapons abandoned their educational career Wabali and among the varying cult groups made life on Deedam, (2014) posited that many youths who bearable, people lived constantly in fear, as all were supposed to be in the school are now in the legal and traditionally recognized institutions one cult camp or the other so as to make earns had been battered, destroyed, threatened and meets. In fact more, youths are attracted to join weakened by the cultists. In some communities, cult because of its economic importance. As the chiefs have been dethroned, while in some youths, they have accessed to huge amount of other communities the chiefs and their entire money as a result of ransom paid to them by the council of chief have been reduced to a toothless kidnapped relatives. The funds they are bull-dog, bench-warmers and puppets. They generating per day from oil bunkering are also cannot function or carry out their day to day high compared to what education will give them activities without interference from the cultists. on the long run. On the other hand, some of the communities are operating without chief, and lawlessness became The above explanation shows that cultism has the order of the day in such communities. Apart negative implication on peaceful co-existence from killing wanton destruction and looting of that was in place from time immemorial, property, some sacred places are no longer economic activities, educational sector, political respected and reserved for rituals. The thin lines sector as well as the agricultural sector. No that held the communities together had been (body) youth wants to be a farmer or a fisherman destroyed. because of the high amount of money generated from cultism.

Table 1: Some of the Notable violence attacks unleashed in the various communities in Rivers State from 2003-2019 S/N Communities L.G.A Year Mode of violence Causalities 1 Port Harcourt 2003 Clashes between Icelanders and Green landers Properties destroyed, several in Diobu. people injured. 2 Port Harcourt 2005 Ravaging of Port Harcourt Township by Several Properties destroyed cultist (Greenlanders and Icelanders – while 2 persons died. including their affiliate’s cults Deywell and Deygbam. 3 Port Harcourt 2006 Deywell and Deygbam clashed in Mile1 One young man died. Diobu Area. 4 (Obubu) Eleme 2007 Cult clashes A farm house was burnt down and, and 3 persons were killed. 5 Abua/Odua Aug. 2009 Cult clash between Greenlanders and 2 persons were killed Icelanders. 6 (Ibaaa) Emohua July 2012 Clash between Icelanders and Greenlanders 10 persons were killed and properties worth millions destroyed.

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7 Egba/Egbema Ndoni 2014 Fought over the supremacy of the area. 12 persons lost their lives. (Deywell and Deygbam). 8 Port Harcourt 2015 Cultist invaded a hostel in Diobu axis of Port Five persons were killed. Harcourt. 9 Eleme 2015 Rivalry between Deywell and Deygbam. Five persons killed 10 (Onne) Eleme 2015 Sept. Clash between Deygbam and Deywell Three killed 11 Agbonchia Eleme 2015 Sept. Clash between Deygbam and Deywell Five killed

12 Ebubu Eleme 2015 Sept. Cultist chased out the paramount ruler from Properties destroyed the community sporadic shooting. 13 Ogba/Egbema Ndoni 2015 Feb. Constant shooting Eight killed 14 Ogba/Egbema Ndoni 2015 May Gun battle between the police and cultists Over 20 persons killed

15 Ogba/Egbema Ndoni 2015 Cult clash between Deywell and Deygbam 18 persons killed July 16 Ogba/Egbema Ndoni 2015 Violence shooting between the cult groups 17 persons killed Sept. 17 (Beera) Gokhana 2015 May Cult related crises Four persons killed and properties destroyed. 18 Bomu/Leive (Gokhana) 2017 It was masterminded by the antagonism 5 persons and killed and between Deywell and Deygbam properties destroyed

19 Bomu/Leive (Gokhana) 2016 It was also masterminded by the two 8 persons killed, houses antagonistic cult groups (Deywell and destroyed Deygbam). 20 (Yeghe) Gokana 2016 Crisis between Deywell and Deygbam 7 persons killed and properties destroyed 21 (Baen) Khana 2017 Clash over the supremacy of the community 6 persons killed and others injured. 22 Gwara Khana 2018 Clash between Icelanders and Deygbam 5 killed including one promising young man that came for a burial. 23 (Eeken) Khana 2018 Un-identified cult group ravaged the 6 killed and 7 other injured. community 24 (Sogho) Khana 2019 April Zagaban and Icelanders clash. They shoot 27 youths died Sporadically.

25 (Kono Bove) Khana 2019 Reprisal attack by the Deygbam on the 23 person were killed Deywell and all the men of the community.

26 Nyokwu Khana 2018 Deywell and Deygbam rampaged the One notable politician was community killed (menezaa)

27 Kpean Khana 2018 24th Deygbam ravaged the community after the Killed a medical practitioner Nov. burial of Austin Nwikinaka and 2 others. 28 Bianu Khana 2018 A group of unidentified group of cult shoots Killed the youth president. sporadically.

29 Betem Khana 2019 Cult group invaded the community The youth President and the chief were killed.

30 Luumene Bagha Khana 2018 Clash between Deywell and Deygbam. The The leader of the Deygbam descended on the Deywell cult at Greenlanders was killed their camp. including other members of his group. 31 Okwali, Taabaa and 13th June, Iceland attacked 3 Communities Killed 7 persons, destroyed Nyokuru 2019 houses in 3 communities 32 Luumene Bagha and 17th June Iceland attacked 2 Communities Killed 6 persons, destroyed 2 Opuoku 2019 houses in communities

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4. Discussion of Findings the development of the state. Unfortunately, the state will lack the required manpower to turn the Hypotheses one states that the more the wheel of development and progress in the state. participation in cult activities, the more the dividend of democracy, it has been proven and Hypothesis four, states that the more the cult confirmed that cultists who served as political clashes and wanton destruction, the less the thugs to snatch ballot boxes during election, kill development of the state. It has been confirmed political opponents and unleashed mayhem on that the more the cult clashes, wanton the citizens are always and usually compensated destruction of lives and property, the more by their political godfathers, they bought houses, development eludes the people. The current land, cars for them. Beside the above, some of level of terrorism perpetuated by the cultists who them, who are educated, were given political are sponsored by the selfish politicians forced appointments, contracts, persona aids, special some companies to fold and relocate to other assistant etc. In fact, in some cases, they states that are peaceful. The constant killing and benefited the democratic process than the law kidnapping of expatriates and the capitalists has abiding citizens. The above explanation shows detrimental effects on development and the that the hypothesis is accepted. people’s livelihood.

Hypothesis two, states that the more Many people were relieved of their employment participation in cult activities, the more wealth because of the relocation of some companies, acquired. The explanation above indicates that most families are affected, yet the environment some of the youths who engaged in cultism is not suitable and convenient for business as a acquired more wealth than other youths who are result of insecurity perpetuated by the cultists. not cultists. This is because cultists have accessed to sophisticated weapons that enabled 5. Recommendations them to engage in kidnapping, arm robbery, assassination and oil bunkering. To them these The following recommendations have been are literature business that made them to make preferred as panacea to the problems associated so much money within a short period of time, with cultism and its implication on peace and while the law abiding citizens wallowed in development: abject poverty without any meaningful source of livelihood. Based on this explanation, - The government at various levels should hypothesis two which states that the more try as much as possible to rise up to the participation in cult activities, the more wealth occasion by devising proactive measures acquired is accepted. to tackle insecurity caused by cultism. All the culprits should be treated in Hypothesis three, states that the more the accordance with the law. Issues of participation in cult activities, the more their preferential treatment nepotism, education are abandoned. The discussion above ethnicity and political affiliates should shows that greater proportions of the youths in no longer be considered. Rivers State are no longer interested in - The citizens should be able to get the education. Many of them are dropped-out; they law enforcement agencies acquainted abandoned education and embraced cultism with valuable information about their because of its immediate benefits. They are able hideouts, camps or residential houses. to acquire wealth in a short period, which This will enable the police to work education would have given them after so many assiduously to arrest the cultists. years of hard work. This action will have - The home has a pivotal role to play in negative impact on the development of Rivers the fight against cultism in the various State because in the near future, the state will communities and the schools parents have so many vagabonds, illiterates and should be able to train their children criminals who will have nothing to offer toward from infants in the fear of God. Parents

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should always put an eye on their References children, especially at adolescent and youthful age. Their constant pieces of Dagogo, I.S. (2018). Cultism as Political advance and discussion are very Weapon in Rivers Sate. important in the child’s moral life. David, A.O. and Oliver, O.C. (2005). Dangers - The parents should also try as much as of Cultism: An Information Handbook possible to check and examine the for Students. A Peace on Campus behavior of some of the friends kept by Initiative, Nigeria Publication their children. This important because Deedam, D.G. (2013). The Impact of Peace most youths were influenced by peers to Process on the Socio-Economic get initiated into cults. Development of Ogoni People, Rivers - The religious leaders should take it upon Social Sciences Forum, 12 (5) March themselves to constantly preach against 2013, pp. 180-187 cultism and its adverse effects. They Ebiriik (2015). Cubing the Menace of Cultism in should make use of the mass media so Rivers State. Lead Story as to reach everybody. http://guardian.ng.retrieved 8th May, - The government should re-instate chiefs 2019 that were deposed and dethroned by Peterside, J.S. (2005). On the Militarization of cultists as well as providing adequate Nigeria’s Niger Delta: The Genesis of security for them. Ethnic Militia in Rivers State. African Conflict Profile: Journal of the Centre 6. Conclusion for Ethnic and Conflict Studies, 1(30- 51) University of Port Harcourt Cult activities that reared their ugly heads in the Poroma, C.L., Kpaae, and Abel E.M. (2018). University has taken a different dimension. Arms Proliferation and the Crisis of Cult Several youths in the secondary schools and the Supremacy and Insecurity in Ogoni various communities have been initiated into Land, Nigeria. Journal of Gender and different cult groups. The land scape of River Power, 9(1), 76-95 State has been dotted with different cult groups, Tamuno, S.O. (2006) Globalization: A New which constantly posed serious threat to lives Concept for an Old World Order. and properties. Harvey Publication Coy, Port Harcourt. Waabah, G. and Deedam, D.G. (2014) Youth The statistics provided on table 1.1 above shows Militancy and its Implication for that so many persons have lost their lives and Education in the Niger Delta Region. properties worth millions of naira destroyed. In IMSU Journal of Social Science fact the incessant killing, shooting, bombing, Education kidnapping that aggravated into tension and threats forcefully pushed several business men out of the state. Hence, making life unbearable as unemployment jumped to the roof top. So many youths were attracted to join one cult group or the other because of the financial benefits or gains from kidnapping and arm- robbery. This has really affected the education of most youths who abandoned education for kidnapping and oil bunkering. Cultist activities are alarming and strengthen because evidence shows that they are sponsored by politicians who are regarded to godfathers.

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