The Delta State House of Assembly finally passed the Anti-Terrorism and Anti-Cultism (Amendment) Bill in 2025. Many thought this would finally end cult-related mayhem. The bill's aim was to clarify the law, make prosecuting criminals easier, and more effectively tackle terrorism and illegal explosives. However, months later, anyone in Warri, Ughelli, Sapele, Agbor, or Asaba knows the shadow of cult violence hasn't lifted at all.
Police are still making arrests daily, and deadly clashes, killings, and retaliatory attacks are frequently heard about. These events make people question if a stronger law is truly enough to dismantle gangs that seem to hold so much sway. It appears that while laws are certainly important, they aren't the complete solution to a problem that's deeply entrenched in society.
The nature of cultism in Delta State has significantly evolved. What began ages ago in schools has transformed into something entirely different. These groups aren't merely secret student societies anymore; they've become organized criminal gangs involved in armed robbery, kidnapping, extortion, illegal oil bunkering, political interference, and drug trafficking. They engage in violent turf wars, and their gunfights frequently disrupt businesses and endanger the lives of citizens.
Residents in these communities are deeply concerned. They express frustration over how easily these cult groups recruit young men and how they manage to operate even with police crackdowns. For many, fear has become a daily reality. Businesses in affected areas close early, nightlife has diminished in some locales, and parents live in constant terror for their children. Young men are particularly vulnerable, either targeted for recruitment or caught in the crossfire.
Why the Law Isn't Stopping the Problem
The Delta State Anti-Terrorism and Anti-Cultism (Amendment) Bill, 2025, was intended to address the shortcomings of previous laws, which had too many loopholes hindering investigations and prosecutions. However, legal experts contend that a problem so deeply intertwined with broader societal issues can't simply be legislated away.
Francis Avbenagha, a legal practitioner, acknowledges that the law aims to improve criminal prosecution and deter violent crime. He cautions, though, that "Legislation without a clear-eyed understanding of the enemy is a sword swung in the dark." He highlights a critical oversight: the continued perception of cultism primarily as an academic issue. "The battlefield has shifted decisively from university campuses to our villages and communities." The cultism he recalls from his school days had a warped sense of brotherhood and certain rules. What he observes now in places like Ovwian, Orhuwhorun, and Ujevwu is completely different. The individuals involved are largely uneducated and driven not by any philosophy, but by pure greed for territory and the instinct for survival. Furthermore, the proliferation of internet fraud has provided them with substantial financial resources.
This influx of cash enables them to acquire numerous firearms, drugs, and other necessities for their cultic activities. Avbenagha asserts that the government must look beyond mere arrests and investigate the sources of this funding.
He also points to the disturbing emergence of active female cult groups in these rural areas. "Gone are the days when women served merely as companions. Today, they participate in blood rituals, gun violence, and the sale of human parts alongside their male counterparts." He questions the ultimate objectives of these groups but emphasizes that societal changes necessitate an adaptation of laws and investigative methods.
While the Amendment Bill strengthens penalties and clarifies rules for evidence, which is a necessary step, Avbenagha warns that "the law is only as powerful as the will to enforce it." He notes that the police have correctly identified parental neglect and community breakdown as contributing factors. However, he argues that the state must also confront unemployment, the neglect of young people, and the pervasive issue of cultism funded by cybercrime. "A cultist who respects neither the gavel nor the statute will only be deterred by consistent prosecution and visible consequences." He adds that the public and the courts are observing, but so are the cultists in the villages, and they aren't impressed by legislation on paper. "Delta State must not confuse legislative progress with victory. Without rigorous enforcement and a holistic attack on the financial enablers, this Amendment risks becoming another toothless tiger in the face of our new, terrifying reality."
Comrade Ozobo Austin, Senior Advocate of the Niger Delta Struggle, also provided his perspective, though the provided text ends before his complete statement is detailed.