Governmental intervention has been called on in addressing the pervasive menace of cultism in the country, as academics lament that its reach even extends beyond university campuses into the very fabric of civil society, institutions and governance.
These appeals come amidst a rise in recent police operations leading to numerous arrests, highlighting the growing evidence of cultism’s impact on individuals and institutions.
The pervasive threat, described by some academics as having “turned the education system upside down,” is prompting these pleas as its devastating effects have deeper impact than reports have done justice.
Assistant Chief Technologist at Lagos State University of Science and Technology (LASUSTECH) Austin Odinaka, (real name withheld), articulated a lament common among many: what began as seemingly harmless “fraternities” has tragically metamorphosed into a violent scourge.
He emphasised that the problem is profoundly entrenched, having reached “high levels of governance,” with cult members having “infiltrated every aspect of society.”
He conveyed significant disappointment regarding the complicity of some lecturers, who, he suggests, actively foster an environment where students and educators alike face harassment, threats, and physical attacks.
Odinaka highlighted the troubling pattern of arrested cult members frequently being released, attributing this to the deep-seated nature of the menace, which now involves secondary school students and artisans, and permeates the job market where affiliations can dictate employment.
He asserted that the effective combat of cultism is severely hampered when “the real cultists are at the helm of governance,” likening the situation to national security challenges plagued by internal “bad eggs.”
His sombre assessment is underscored by the personal ordeal of Afeso Moses, a former lecturer at the Ikorodu Campus of the former Lagos State Polytechnic. Moses was compelled to abandon his academic post and subsequently flee the country after enduring severe assaults and threats from cultists.
His ordeal commenced after he inadvertently exposed students implicated in results manipulation. Iyose Sunday Efraim, a witness to one of the brutal attacks on Moses, recounted the traumatic experience, stating, “They showed no mercy. It was a clear message, meant to silence anyone who dared to stand against them.”
His wife, Caroline Moses, whose real name has also been withheld, has publicly spoken with the media about the profound emotional distress and fear for her husband’s safety, illustrating the ripple effect of cultism’s destructive impact through families and communities.
Speaking from an undisclosed location, Afeso Moses, joined by Iyose Efraim, issued a joint appeal to both the State and Federal governments.
Moses stated, “I am but one of many lecturers who have faced threats, harassment, or worse, simply for upholding academic integrity or maintaining order. Our campuses, once bastions of learning, are increasingly becoming fertile grounds for these criminal elements.
“I had to choose between my life and my profession, a choice no academician should ever be forced to make. The government must step in decisively; they must protect staff and students from this pervasive evil.”
Iyose, on her part, stressed the terrifying reality of the violence: “It wasn’t just an attack; it was rather a message of terror.
The authorities must understand that these aren’t just statistics; these are lives being destroyed right before our eyes. We need protection, not just arrests after the fact.”
The urgency of these calls is amplified by recent police operations. Just days ago, the Lagos State Police Command announced the apprehension of 52 suspected cultists during joint raids in Mushin, conducted proactively ahead of the ominous “7:7 Cultism Day,” a date frequently associated with inter-gang violence.
This significant haul follows other targeted operations, including the arrest of three suspected cultists in Owode-Ikorodu where firearms were recovered, and the capture of a notorious 44-year-old cultist kingpin operating across Mushin, underscoring the persistent efforts to dismantle these entrenched criminal networks.
Such arrests frequently uncover caches of weapons, confirming the armed and dangerous nature of these groups.
To address this complex crisis, Mr. Odinaka advocated for a fundamental, grassroots overhaul, stressing the need to “start by changing our curriculum and fighting it from the bottom up,” with a renewed focus on proper child upbringing from the home.
He called for a collaborative “all hands on deck” approach, spanning from primary school to tertiary institutions, viewing it as a collective societal responsibility.
Both he and Moses demanded stricter laws and unwavering enforcement, with Odinaka asserting that cultists, who become a “terror” in schools, are “no different from criminals” and should face severe penalties like lengthy prison sentences rather than mere “displacement.”
The Lagos State Police Command, under Commissioner of Police Olohundare Jimoh, has reiterated its zero-tolerance stance on cultism, assuring residents of extensive security deployments in hotspots like Mushin and Ikorodu.
The Lagos State House of Assembly has also acknowledged the gravity, summoning key commissioners to develop more effective strategies, with Speaker Mudashiru Obasa stressing the need for broader interventions beyond incarceration, including sports, creative arts, and community engagement to redirect at-risk youth.
While past legislative efforts, such as the 1989 Decree 47 and subsequent state laws, have attempted to curb cultism, its continued prevalence, including its alarming infiltration into secondary schools, underscores the critical need for renewed vigour and innovative solutions from the government.
According to Moses and Iyose, until cultism is decisively tackled at its deeply entrenched roots, fostering a secure environment for education and civil life remains an elusive dream.