Ending Cultism in the Niger Delta

The Niger Delta region of Nigeria has been described as one of the most polluted and underdeveloped areas in comparison to other deltas of the world (Etekpe, 2009; Asuka, 2010).  In addition to militancy, kidnapping, and attacks on energy infrastructure, the trajectory of violence in the region has expanded to include cult wars and killings which became more prominent from 2014.

The emergence and sustenance of these groups is linked to the “patronage of politicians, who either employ them as informal security or use them to intimidate, attack or kill their opponents”. The cult killings seem to continue unabated.  As recent as June 12, 2019, at least five persons were killed in another spate of cult violence.

Given the foregoing, this edition of NEXTIER SPD WEEKLY discusses the violence and possibility of an escalation of the situation especially with the Bayelsa State gubernatorial election scheduled for November 2019.

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