Black Axe is reportedly one of the 32 secret student cults active at 46 university campuses in Nigeria and that are nowspreading to secondary and post-secondary schools (New African Apr. 1998). "The clubs have secret and cruel initiation ceremonies designed to bind newcomers into the cults. Members are then indoctrinated and sworn to absolute secrecy under pain of death, about group organisation and objectives" (ibid.).

Clashes involving the Black Axe and the Eye Confraternity were reported at universities of Lagos, Ogun State, and Ibadan (Africa News 26 February 1999, ibid., 7 Sept. 1998; AP 24 July 1998). According to the New African," students operate like bandits, killing each other and posing serious threats to the university community and society at large. Splinter groups have emerged which engage one another for supremacy and move onto other campuses leaving in their trail bloodshed and extreme destruction, rape, oppression, intimidation and a general reign of terror" (Apr. 1998).

This information is corroborated in other reports (Africa News 26 Feb. 1999, ibid., 7 Sept. 1998; Mail & Guardian 21 May 1997). AP reports that "at least 20 killings in the past three years have been blamed on the dozen or so campus cults in the West African national that are also charged with rapes, extortion, assaults and arson attacks" (AP 24 July 1998).

A professor of Journalism at the Department of Communication Studies at the University of Northern Iowa, who specializes in the military and the media in Nigeria, stated that previous and current government do not support the activities of the cults (11 Mar. 1999). He also stated that officially the government of former Babangida banned the cults but they continue to operate secretly. According to the Mail & Guardian, "across the country hundreds of students have been arrested, arraigned before the courts and even suspended from university for their involvement with the cults. But the authorities have yet to find a sure-fire method to stem the rising popularity of the cults among male university students" (21 May 1997). Both the Mail & Guardian and New African further state that cult members come from wealthy and influential families (ibid.), and when arrested, "their parents usually use their influence to get them released through the back door" (Mail and Guardian 21 May1997).

No reports on a pro-democracy march planned for 18 May 1998 and whether members are wanted by the military could be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate. Please see below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

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 to refugee status or asylum.

Africa News [London]. 26 February 1999. Seyi Oduyela. "Bloody Clash In Osu." (NEXIS)

Africa News. 7 September 1998. Taiwo Adisa. "Cults at War." (NEXIS)

Associated Press (AP). 24 July 1998. "Riot Politce Broke Up Fighting Between Two Rival Cults on Lagos University Campus." (NEXIS)

New African [London]. April 1998. "Secret Cults Terrorise Nigerian Universities." [Internet: http://dialspace.dial.pipex.com/icpubs/na/apr98[accessed 11 Mar. 1999]

Mail& Guardian. 21 May 1997. Toye Olori. "Murderous Cults Invade Nigeria's Universities." [Internet. http://www.mg.co/za/mg/news/97may2/21may-nigeria [accessed 11 Mar. 1999].

Professor of journalism, The University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls. 12 February 1999. Telephone interview.

Africa Confidential [London]. Bi-Weekly. May 1998. Vol. 39.

Africa Research Bulletin: Political, Social and Cultural Series [Oxford]. Monthly. May-June 1998.

Keesing's Record of World Events [Cambridge]. Monthly. May 1998. Vol. 44.

West Africa [London]. May 1998.

Electronic sources. IRB Databases, [Internet http://ww.state.gov/www.global/human_rights_1998_hrp_report/98hrp_report_toc.html, LEXIS/NEXIS, World News Connection (WNC).

Three oral sources consulted did not provide information on the requested subject.