By Abdulahmeed Abdulrozaq Bilal | Fact Frontier.
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A fresh wave of arrests and a recent deadly incident underscore the persistent threat posed by cult-related violence in Nigeria, with Oyo State becoming a latest focal point. Authorities confirmed the arrest of multiple suspects linked to cultism, while independent monitors verified a recent clash between two major confraternities in the state, highlighting a national crisis that claims hundreds of lives annually and has evolved into a sophisticated global criminal enterprise.
Police Arrests Target Cult Activities in Oyo
The Oyo State Police Command is actively targeting cult networks. In a series of operations leading up to February 4, 2026, police arrested seven suspects for crimes including murder and cultism.
A significant part of this crackdown focused on a "cult-related disturbance" in the Jobele area of Afijio Local Government. Police operatives intervened in a violent fracas, rescuing a 35-year-old man who had sustained stab injuries. Their investigation led to the arrest of two individuals—Sammod Bologun, 29, and Katie Suleiman, 24.
According to a statement by Police Public Relations Officer Olayinka Ayanlade, the apprehended suspects
confessed to their involvement in the cult-related violence and are providing actionable intelligenceto apprehend other fleeing members. This police action demonstrates ongoing efforts to combat the violent clashes that frequently erupt between rival groups.
Confirmed Clash Between Eiye and Buccaneers
Separate from the police-reported arrests, independent monitoring groups have confirmed that the long-standing, violent rivalry between the Eiye and Buccaneers confraternities remains active in Oyo State.
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Cult incident trackers reported that in January 2026, during a confrontation in Saki, Oyo State, members of the Eiye confraternity accidentally killed one of their own members. This incident is a stark example of the chaotic and deadly nature of these clashes. The Buccaneers are historically one of Black Axe's primary rivals, with conflicts often tracked in grim scores like sports matches.
From Campus Groups to Global Criminal Networks
The Eiye and Buccaneers are part of a devastating phenomenon that began in Nigerian universities but has since exploded into a national and international security threat.
•· Origins and Evolution:
What began as the Pyrate Confraternity in 1952—founded by Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka and others to challenge colonialism and elitism—mutated over decades into violent secret societies. Today, groups like Eiye, Black Axe (Aye), Buccaneers, and Vikings operate more like mafias than campus fraternities.
•· A National Bloodletting:
The death toll is staggering. One education advocacy group estimates about 10,000 Nigerians were killed in cult-related violence between 1996 and 2019. More recently, an anti-cultism tracker reported 581 deaths in 2024 alone, with Black Axe, Eiye, and Vikings being the most deadly.
•· Global Reach and Cybercrime:
These groups have expanded far beyond Nigeria. A major BBC investigation describes Black Axe as a "global mafia," with operations in Europe, Asia, and North America. Their primary revenue source is sophisticated, organized internet fraud—including romance and business email scams—that generates billions of dollars and targets victims worldwide.
The Brutal Mechanics of Cultism
The internal workings of these groups reveal why violence is endemic and escape is perilous.
•· Violent Initiation and Control:
Recruitment often involves brutal, forced initiations known as "bamming," featuring beatings, blood rituals, and psychological terror to cement absolute loyalty. Membership is typically for life; leaving or resisting is believed to mean death.
•· Innocent Lives in the Crossfire:
The violence is not contained within the groups. Clashes regularly claim innocent bystanders. Trackers reported that in January 2026 alone, six innocent non-cultists were killed in the violence. Stories abound of people like a new mother in Lagos whose husband was killed by a stray bullet during a cult clash, or a businesswoman in Benin City robbed during street violence.
•· Political Exploitation:
Analysts note that cult groups are often used as tools by political figures and elites to commit violence during elections or against rivals, complicating law enforcement efforts.
A Culture of Fear and a Call for Action
The situation presents a profound challenge. While police make arrests, the deep-rooted nature of these groups, their vast criminal resources, and alleged protection by powerful interests hinder progress. For every suspect detained, countless young Nigerians remain trapped in a cycle of violence, recruited with false promises of protection and brotherhood only to be deployed as foot soldiers in criminal enterprises.
The confirmed events in Oyo State are not isolated. They are symptoms of a pervasive disease that has infected communities, campuses, and the very fabric of society, spilling Nigerian blood on local streets and scamming victims on a global scale.
When will Nigeria break the vicious cycle that turns its youth into killers and its communities into war zones, and demand an end to the cultism that continues to consume generations?
