A new report by SBM Intelligence has revealed a disturbing surge in cult-related violence across Nigeria, with Rivers and Lagos States emerging as the epicenters of deadly clashes that have claimed at least 1,686 lives between January 2020 and March 2025.
The report, based on data from 909 documented incidents, highlights the South-South and Southwest geopolitical zones as the most affected regions. Rivers State recorded the highest number of fatalities at 215, followed closely by Lagos with 197 and Edo with 192. These figures underscore the entrenched presence of violent cult groups such as Vikings, Icelanders, Eiye, Aiye, Black Axe, and Greenlanders, whose territorial rivalries continue to fuel bloodshed.
In the South-South, over 750 deaths were attributed to cult violence, particularly in Rivers, Delta, and Bayelsa States. The Southwest followed with 491 fatalities, with Lagos and Ogun States witnessing repeated confrontations between the Aiye and Eiye confraternities.
The report also noted a troubling rise in cult activity in the Southeast, especially in Anambra State, where over 215 deaths were linked to clashes often intertwined with separatist tensions. Meanwhile, Benue State in the North-Central region recorded 204 deaths, largely due to lesser-known groups like Scavengers and Chain operating amid communal unrest.
Conversely, the Northeast and Northwest regions reported fewer than 30 cult-related deaths combined, as insecurity in those areas remains dominated by terrorist groups and armed bandits.
SBM Intelligence emphasized that 2021 was the deadliest year, with 377 deaths across 173 incidents, a spike attributed to post-pandemic economic hardship and political instability. While 2024 saw the highest number of incidents (273), it recorded fewer fatalities, possibly due to increased visibility and community reporting via social media platforms.