Nigerian secret cults, once confined to university campuses, have transformed into international criminal organizations with a reach that extends far beyond Nigeria’s borders. These groups have not only established strongholds in major cities across Europe and North America but have also demonstrated a dangerous willingness to take revenge against individuals who expose their members abroad. Their international expansion, coupled with their violent retaliatory tactics, poses a growing threat to Nigerian communities and the countries where they operate.
In cities like London, Rome, and Toronto, Nigerian cults such as Black Axe, Eiye, and Vikings have gained a foothold, using their influence to control illegal markets ranging from drug trafficking to human smuggling. These groups often use their transnational networks to facilitate the trafficking of drugs and weapons, but even more alarmingly, they are involved in human trafficking, particularly the trafficking of Nigerian women into Europe for prostitution. Victims are often subjected to brutal initiation rituals and oaths, binding them to the cults through fear.
Beyond their criminal enterprises, these cults exert significant control over Nigerian communities abroad, with members often recruited from within these diaspora populations. In many cases, the sense of loyalty and fear instilled by the cults makes it difficult for members to break free or for whistleblowers to come forward. Those who attempt to expose the activities of these groups often face brutal retaliation. Members have been known to take revenge on individuals who cooperate with law enforcement or those who speak out against their operations. This revenge can come in the form of violent attacks, even in foreign countries, where the groups maintain a presence.
For instance, Black Axe, one of the most notorious Nigerian cults, has been linked to numerous revenge killings in Italy, the UK, and the Netherlands, targeting both rival gang members and individuals perceived to have betrayed the organization. These cults maintain a strict code of silence, and any perceived disloyalty is met with severe punishment, often carried out across borders with the aid of their extensive international networks.
One high-profile case involved the assassination of a Nigerian man in Italy who had cooperated with authorities in exposing a human trafficking ring linked to a Nigerian cult. Shortly after providing testimony, he was found murdered, with investigators linking his death to revenge ordered by cult leaders back in Nigeria. This shows the lengths to which these groups will go to protect their operations and silence those who pose a threat.
The influence of Nigerian cults abroad also extends to political and financial control. These groups have been implicated in election meddling and fraud schemes in both Nigeria and their host countries, using their international networks to launder money and exert influence on political outcomes. With their deep-rooted connections to political elites and organized crime in Nigeria, they have become formidable forces both domestically and internationally.
As these cults continue to grow and operate with impunity, their ability to exact revenge on foreign soil underscores the international dimensions of Nigeria’s internal security problems. Efforts to combat their activities will require coordinated law enforcement efforts across multiple countries, targeting not only the criminal activities but also the deep-seated culture of fear and loyalty that sustains these organizations. Without a concerted international effort, these cults will continue to thrive, exploiting vulnerable individuals and communities both in Nigeria and abroad.
