Nigeria: The Black Axe Confraternity, also known as the Neo-Black Movement of Africa; their treatment of anti-cultists; their forced recruitment of individuals opposed to cults; their initiation rituals and oaths of secrecy; their use of symbols or particular signs
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 5 September 2002 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | NGA39977.E |
| Reference | 1 |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Nigeria: The Black Axe Confraternity, also known as the Neo-Black Movement of Africa; their treatment of anti-cultists; their forced recruitment of individuals opposed to cults; their initiation rituals and oaths of secrecy; their use of symbols or particular signs , 5 September 2002, NGA39977.E , available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3f7d4de10.html [accessed 30 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
The Black Axe Confraternity (BAC), also known as the Neo-Black Movement of Africa (NBMA), is described by one source as "one of the largest and most feared secret cults on Nigerian campuses" (Tempo 25 July 2002). According to an Integrated Regional Information Network (IRIN) report, the BAC was one of the first student cults to emerge in Nigeria during the 1970s, and although inter-cult rivalry was initially "limited to fist fights," approximately 250 people have been killed in cult violence during the last 10 years (1 Aug. 2002).
Two references to BAC initiation rituals were found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate (This Day 8 July 2002; Tempo 25 July 2002). This Day reported on a gathering of cult members belonging to the Vickings and the BAC that led to the death of a member "as a result of the rigours of initiation" (8 July 2002). In a separate report by Tempo, what was supposed to be an "initiation of new members" to the BAC in the early morning of 4 July 2002, reportedly resulted in five of their deaths by a campus security unit (25 July 2002).
Regarding symbols and signs, two references to members of the BAC possessing "charms" were found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate (Tempo 25 July 2002; ibid. 19 Aug. 2001). Other references were found to "Black Axe regalia" (Africa News 11 Mar. 2002) and "berets and a white banner belonging to the BAC" (This Day 14 Aug. 2000). In a separate article on campus-based cults, it was reported that following a search of a suspected cult member, the police were able to confirm his membership in the Black Axe Confraternity when they found the group's identity cards in his pockets (The Week 22 Sept. 1997).
No information on oaths of secrecy could be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate. However, according to a report by This Day on a student union leader's call for "stringent punishment" of students belonging to cults, including the BAC, the deputy vice-chancellor admitted that it would be difficult to identify members of cults because they swear oaths of secrecy (17 Mar. 2002).
Regarding the treatment of anti-cultists by the BAC, Africa News reported on the "brutal killing" of Mufutau Babtunde Salau, a 25 year-old former president of Lagos State University Students' Union Government on 13 February 2002 by six suspected members of the Black Axe (19 Feb. 2002). According to the report, Mufutau Babtunde Salua
made no pretension about his intention to better the lots of the over 30,000 LASU [Lagos State University] students and to fight cultism in all its ramifications in the institution. He therefore, continued with the "War Against Cultism" started by Owolabi Yusuf, who himself had a close shave with death in December 2000 at Iyana Iba area as a result of [a] cult attack (Africa News 19 Feb. 2002).
A report by IRIN corroborates the claim that the "president of the Lagos State University's student union, who had been waging an anti-cults campaign, was stabbed to death by suspected cultists" (IRIN 1 Aug. 2002).
No information on the forced recruitment of individuals opposed to cults could be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate.
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. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.
References
Africa News. 11 March 2002. "Nigeria: Student Flee Ibadan Poly." (NEXIS)
_____. 19 February 2002. "Nigeria: Why the Anti-Cult Student Was Killed." (NEXIS)
Integrated Regional Information Network (IRIN). 1 August 2002. "Focus on the Menace of Student Cults." Tempo [Lagos]. 25 July 2002. Deji Adeyemi. "AAGM: Students Burnt Alive." (Global News Wire - Asia Africa Intelligence Wire/NEXIS)
_____. 19 August 2001. "Nigeria: Campus Goons." (Africa News/NEXIS)
This Day [Lagos]. 8 July 2002. "AAGM: Police Tackle Cult Groups in Rivers." (Global News Wire - Asia Africa Intelligence Wire/NEXIS)
_____. 17 March 2002. "AAGM: Students Union Leader Urges Stiff Penalty for Cult Membership." (Global News Wire - Asia Africa Intelligence Wire/NEXIS)
_____. 14 August 2000. Hammed Bodunrin. "Students Surrender Secret Cult Items to Police." (Global News Wire/NEXIS)
The Week. 22 September 1997. Tayo Odunlami. "Above the Law." (Ethnic News Watch/NEXIS)
Additional Sources Consulted
IRB Databases
Internet sites including:
AllAfrica.com
Daily Champion
Human Rights Watch
Newswatch Nigeria
Vanguard
World News.com
World News Connection (WNC)
Search engines including:
Google
