Cult activities

Two articles reported that gang-like warfare among rival cults using sophisticated weaponry has become the norm at Nigerian universities such as the University of Benin (Uniben/UNIBEN) in Edo State (This Day 29 June 2004; Daily Champion 21 Apr. 2004). One article described campus cults as engaging in criminal behaviour "to loot, kill, steal and destroy lives and properties at will" (Daily Times 13 May 2004). Another article reported that university-based cults engage in criminal acts such as rape, robbery and extortion and also intimidate professors into giving members good grades (IPS 24 Apr. 2004).

According to an article in This Day, at least 115 students died between 1993-2003 as a result of cult activities at Nigerian universities (5 Sept. 2003).

Targets

Articles indicated that most victims of cult violence were members of rival cults (IPS 24 Apr. 2004; This Day 5 Sept. 2003). However, reports indicated that some university officers and a few of the students who have tried to resist the demands of cultists and/or fought against them have also been harmed by cult members (Daily Times 13 May 2004; IPS 24 Apr. 2004; Vanguard 12 Apr. 2004; This Day 5 Sept. 2003).

In March 2004 two Uniben students, one a medical student just about to graduate, were murdered by suspected cultists (This Day 29 June 2004; ibid. 12 Apr. 2004; ibid. 11 Mar. 2004 Daily Champion 12 Apr. 2004). The medical student was reportedly "hacked to pieces" in broad daylight immediately after writing his final exams (This Day 29 June 2004; ibid. 11 Mar. 2004).

Reaction of authorities

Two articles mentioned that government and university authorities have tried to combat cultism at university campuses, but that most action has been ineffective (This Day 29 June 2004; Daily Champion 21 Apr. 2004).

In the years 1993 to 2003, as many as 665 students faced disciplinary action from universities for suspected cult activities (This Day 5 Sept. 2003). Students who have been dismissed from one university because of cult activities may be barred from attending other institutes (IPS 24 Apr. 2004). In 2003, the National Council on Education (NCE) approved measures against cult members, that allowed universities to withhold or withdraw the certificates of some graduates if it was proven that they were members of cults (Daily Champion 17 Nov. 2003; Vanguard 20 Oct. 2003).

In 2004 shortly after taking office, the new Vice-Chancellor of Uniben, Emmanuel Nwanze voiced his intention to crack down on cult activities after the murder of a medical student by suspected cultists in March 2004 (This Day 29 June 2004; Daily Champion 21 Apr. 2004; ibid. 12 Apr. 2004). As part of his program to combat cultism at Uniben, Nwanze implemented a Cult Renunciation Committee, which offered counselling to encourage students to renounce or resist cults (Daily Champion 21 Apr. 2004; This Day 12 Apr. 2004). He also increased security around himself and the other principal officers of the university to reduce the chances of cultists retaliating (Daily Champion 12 Apr. 2004).

In April 2004, suspected cultists sent a letter threatening to kill Nwanze for his anti-cult activities (ibid. 21 Apr. 2004; ibid. 12 Apr. 2004; Vanguard 12 Apr. 2004).

Reaction of government authorities

The Nigerian government is reportedly considering new legislation against cult activities (IPS 24 Apr. 2004). However, Nigerians appear to be of the opinion that new laws will not be effective since few cult members have been prosecuted under existing legislation (ibid.). At least one educator observed that making cults illegal is not enough to eradicate the problem (This Day 6 July 2004).

Recruitment

Articles reported that cult members tended to be children of high ranking Nigerians who were able to protect them from prosecution (Daily Times 13 May 2004; IPS 24 Apr. 2004).

An article in This Day described the experience of one student befriended at university by a "big brother" who eventually initiated him into a cult (2 Oct. 2002). The article described how the student was driven out into the bush by his friend where he, along with other students, was stripped naked, cut and made to drink a concoction mixed with blood before swearing a secret oath of allegiance (This Day 2 Oct. 2002).

Black Axe

One article listed the Black Axe as one of the most prominent cults operating in Nigerian universities (IPS 24 Apr. 2004). Frequent reference to the Black Axe cult in 2004 was found from online news sources (P.M. News 15 July 2004; ibid. 23 June 2004; Vanguard 22 Apr. 2004).

For further information on the Black Axe, please see Responses to Information Requests NGA32048 of 16 June 1999 and NGA32049 of 16 June 1999.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim for refugee protection. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

Daily Champion [Lagos]. 21 April 2004. "Threat to Uniben V-C." http://allafrica.com/stories/printable/200404210218.html [Accessed 14 July 2004]

_____. 12 April 2004. "Cultists Threaten to Kill Vc." http://allafrica.com/stories/printable/200404120922.html [Accessed 14 July 2004]

_____. 17 November 2003. Chukwuemeka Okoro and Matthias Nwogu. "New Education Policy: Cultists to Forfeit Certificates." http://allafrica.com/stories/200311171067.html [Accessed 22 July 2004]

Daily Times [Lagos]. 13 May 2004. Arifayan Taiwo. "Campus Cults: A Reflection of a Corrupt Society." http://www.religionnewsblog.com/7248-Campus_Cults__A_reflection_of_a_corrupt_society.html [Accessed 15 July 2004]

Inter Press Service News Agency (IPS News). 24 April 2004. Sam Olukoya. "Cult Students Control the Campus, Their Parents Run Nigeria." http://www.ipsnews.net/interna.asp?idnews=23461 [Accessed 15 July 2004]

P.M. News [Lagos]. 15 July 2004. Bayo Adetu. "OOU Fights Cultism - As Students Stay Away." http://allafrica.com/stories/200407150642.html [Accessed 16 July 2004]

_____. 23 June 2004. Idowu Akinrosoye/Ibadan. "9 Students Killed in Bloody Cult Wars." http://allafrica.com/stories/200406230899.html [Accessed 16 July 2004]

This Day [Lagos]. 6 July 2004. Timothy Okwu. "FG Not Serious About Fighting Cultism - Seadogs." http://allafrica.com/stories/printable/200407060833.html [Accessed 22 July 2004]

_____. 29 June 2004. Godwin Agbroko. "One Mouth, Many Conflicting Statements." http://allafrica.com/stories/printable/200406290273.html [Accessed 14 July 2004]

_____. 12 April 2004. Omon-Julius Onabu. "Uniben Set to Mid-Wife Peaceful Cult Renunciation." http://allafrica.com/stories/printable/200404120646.html [Accessed 14 July 2004]

_____. 11 March 2004. Omon-Julius Onabu. "Cultists Kill Uniben Medical Student." http://allafrica.com/stories/printable/200403110313.html [Accessed 14 July 2004]

_____. 5 September 2003. Omon-Julius Onabu. "Campus Cult Violence Claims 115 Lives." http://allafrica.com/stories/200309050038.html [Accessed 15 July 2004]

_____. 2 October 2002. Yemi Akinsuyi. "My Road to Self-Destruction, Student Cultist Confesses." http://allafrica.com/stories/printable/200210020156.html [Accessed 14 July 2004]

Vanguard [Lagos]. 22 April 2004. Samuel Oyadongha. "Alamieyeseigha Okays Expulsion of 25 N-Delta Varsity Students Over Cultism." http://allafrica.com/stories/200404220789.html [Accessed 16 July 2004]

_____. 12 April 2004. Emma Amaize And Simon Ebegbulem. "Cultists Threaten to Assassinate New Uniben Vc, Principal Officers." http://allafrica.com/stories/printable/200404120713.html [accessed 14 July 2004]

_____. 20 October 2003. Emma Amaize. "Govt to Withdraw Certificates of Cult Graduates - Obasanjo." http://allafrica.com/stories/printable/200310200593.html [Accessed 14 July 2004]

Internet sites, including: Amnesty International, Country Reports, Human Rights Watch.