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 Rivers State from 2003-2019 DEEDAM DORKA GODBLESS Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Rumuolumeni, Port Harcourt, Nigeria 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 159 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 160 KIU Journal of Social Sciences 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.