A presentation on the characteristics, drivers, preferred method of approach on the problem of School-based Cultism in Lagos, Nigeria

1. Highlights of School-
based Cultism in
Lagos State
A Presentation by Vahyala Kwaga

2. The Extent of the Problem
Four secondary school students, were arrested in
school uniform, on their way to attack a rival cult group
at a High school in Mushin. In their possession,
according to the Police, were axes, cutlasses and
knives.
Operatives of Lagos State Neighbourhood Security Corp
(LNSC) apprehended 6 suspected members of a
notorious Cult gang who allegedly defile underage
female students. The suspects were accused of gang
raping three students of Junior Secondary School, aged
15, 13 and 13 years.

3. What We Know So Far
The high number of arrests and renunciations of
Cultists and Cultism does not say anything about
the number of existing Cultists.
It is difficult to accurately gauge the extent of
the problem if it has spread to Secondary
schools. It is on record that arrested suspects of
Cult activities ‘were alleged to have initiated the
victims into their cult gang known as “Eiye”
before raping them’.

4. Recruitment styles
Threats (Physical, Verbal, Sexual);
Gifts (Monetary, Security, Sexual, Reputational,
Favours, Non-physical, Consumables);
Warnings (Physical, Verbal, Sexual);
Promises (Monetary, Security, Sexual,
Reputational, Favours, Consumables);
Assault (Physical, Verbal, Sexual)

5. Is a Cult similar to a Gang?
Unquestioning obedience; Self-appointed authoritarian
leaders; Predictable personality changes; Situational
dependence on "group identity" and recruitment based on
human need for acceptance and being a part of a group
affirming personal significance.
Cults have a spiritual/religious/ideological belief system;
gangs may not (well-developed). Gangs are more sinister
in use of violence against members and non-members.
Disobedience in Cults occasions much less severe
discipline and violence against non-cult members is not
common.

6. Contextual Factors in the Analysis of Cultism
School Level Factors-Awareness (Level of School
security); Responses to Cult-related Violence; School
Climate, School Size & Class Size; Location (Proximity to
Universities and Higher Institutions); Peer Groups
Individual Factors-Gender; Age; Physical Characteristics
and Stereotypes; Behavioural Characteristics (Nature of
self-perception, Curiosity, Attitude towards risk);
Personal Experiences (Extent of prior victimization,
Extent of having witnessed violence); Notions of the
Supernatural

7. Contextual Factors in the Analysis of Cultism II
Factors Outside School-Parenting of Cultists and
Victims (Nurturing, Abusive, Isolationist,
Indifferent); Community Context (Peculiar levels
of Violence, Nature of common means of
conflict resolution, Glamorization of Wealth,
Attitudes toward the Supernatural); Ethnicity
and Culture; Proliferation/Availability of Arms,
Recreational Drugs and Alcohol; Socio-economic
Status

8. Study Perspectives-Social Psychology
This approach, can give insights to understand the
motivations, promptings and system.
Symbolic Interactionism: The doctrine that society
amounts to a web of interaction is compatible with a
wide variety of social science perspectives, including
social exchange theory, social cognition, conflict theory,
role theory, affect control theory, expectation-states
theory, and identity theory.
Methodology-Surveys, Interviews, Reports, Focus
groups.

9. Is there a Policy?
There is no publicly available policy on the
federal government’s stance on Cultism in
Secondary Schools. Conferences have held
(the 3rd National Conference on Strategies for
Eradicating Cultism in Nigerian Educational
Institutions-2012) but it is uncertain whether
conference reports have been made
mandatory for schools across the country to
adopt.

10. What kind of Policy is Required?
Law Enforcement-Mandatory, standardized, consistent
crime-reporting laws, policies, procedures (for
analysing, prevention, and interventions).
Monitoring weapons proliferation and drug
(barbiturates, hallucinogenic and psychotropic
substances) usage and trends.
Harmonization or development of frameworks and
collaborations between Police and Lagos
Neighbourhood Security Corp, especially in the area of
information sharing.

11. What kind of Policy is Required? II
School-There are two separate systems working
simultaneously—school (disciplinary) and criminal.
Actions and consequences associated with the
school system are not contingent upon those of the
criminal system, or vice versa.
School administrators must create awareness
programs sensitizing students and parents on
dangers of cultism. There must be platforms where
parents and School administration come together to
discuss.

12. What kind of Policy is Required? III
Parental-Support, encouragement and character
building for children; an atmosphere of love,
commitment but firm parenting is crucial to ensure
that Cults do not become an attractive option.
The State and Community leadership need to provide
families with support in the form of financial and
school-related support. Seifret explains that one
major reason why children join violent groups is
because they have not had the requisite attention
and care in the home.

13. Thank you for listening