CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
Cultism in Nigeria is now very popular among Nigerian youths, it all began from the campus; it was founded by the nobel leureat prof. wole soyinka back in 1952. This cult group; pirate confratanaity Elite of the university college of Ibadan was formed by prof wole soyinka with his six friends and then part of the University of London. The very aim of this group was to produce a leader who will be very proud of his african heritage. They have skull and cross bones as their logo while members adopted confraternity names as ‘’Capon’ Blood’’ and ‘’Long John Silver’’. The pirates cultivated a style that ridiculed colonial attitude. They proved popular among students even after the original members moved on. Membership was opened to every male students regardless of tribe or race. For almost 20 years, the pirate a non-violent body become established in all tertiary institution that emerged in post independent Nigeria as the only confraternity on Nigeria campus. The emergence of campus cult as they are known in Nigeria today began with a split of early 1970s, in pirates confraternity. 1972 Bolaji Carew and several others were expelled from the pirates for failing to meet expected standards. In reaction to this and other events, the pirates registered themselves under the name National Association of Seadogs [NAS]. The Buccaneers of Seadogs was founded by Carew. In 1980s confraternities spread over the 300 institutions of higher education in the country. The Neo-Black movement of Africa [Black Axe] emerged from University of Benin in Edo state while the Supreme Eiye confraternity [National Association of Air Lords] broken off from Black Axe in 1983. Students at the University of Calabar in cross River State founded the Eternal Fraternal Order of the Legion Consortium [the Klansmens Konfraternity] while a former member of Buccaneers confraternity started the Supreme Vikings confraternity [the Adventures of the De Norsemen Club of Nigeria ] the following year.
In the mid 80s, it had become evident that some of the cults had been adopted as elements in the intelligence and the security services serving the then military government. They were used against students union and University staff who was the only organized groups opposing military rule.
In 1984, Prof Wole Soyinka, extricated himself from emerging trend, initiated the abolition of the pirates confraternity in all tertiary institution, by then the phenomena of violent cults had developed a life of its own; early 1990s as the end of the second Republic drew near, confraternity activities expanded dramatically in the Niger Delta as they engaged in a bloody struggle for supremacy. The family confraternity [The campus mafia or The mafia], which modeled itself after the Italian mafia, emerged, shortly after their arrival, several students were expelled from Abia State University for cheating and ‘’cultism ‘’ a reference to the voodoo-practicing confraternities, which marked the beginning of a shift of confraternity activities from the university to off campus.
The Brotherhood of the Blood [also known as Two-Two [Black Beret] another notorious confraternity was founded at Enugu State University of Science and Technology. Cults established in early 1990s are; Second Son of Satan [SSS], Night Cadet, Sonmen, Mgba Mgba Brothers, Temple of Eden, Trogan Horse, Jurists, White Bishops, Gentlemen Clubs, Fame, Executioners, Dreded Friends, Eagle club, Black Scorpion, Red Sea Horse, Fraternity of Friends The klansmen konfraternity expanded their influence by creating a Street and Creek Wing,, Deebam to expanded their influence by creating a street and Creek wing, Deebam to fight for and control territory outside the Universities through violence and crime. In response, the supreme Vikings Confraternity [SVC] establish their own street and creek group, Dewell. When was unable to match Deebam, the SVC created the second confraternity wing. The Icelanders [German], which was led by militia leader Ateke Tom. The outlaws, another well-known street and creek confraternity began to be formed. These includes the Black Brazier [Black Bra], the Viqueens, Daughters of Jezebel and the Damsel. Female confraternities have supplied spies for all allied male confraternities as well as acted as prostitution syndicates.