Rivers State is gradually becoming a paradise for cultists, and it is most repulsive. A garden city turning into a den of atrocities is a tragic phenomenon that can have devastating consequences for the citizens of Rivers in particular and Nigeria in general. When an urban area is freely controlled by both state and non-state actors without checks, they can create a culture of fear and violence that pervades every aspect of life. This is what is assuming a frightening dimension in Rivers, and it requires an urgent intervention of the state authorities.
 

Just recently, suspected cultists, numbering over 100, attacked the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) officials at Odunze Lane, Mile 3 Diobu, Port Harcourt, in Port Harcourt City Local Government Area of Rivers State. The NDLEA officials had gained access to Odunze, a den of cultists, which has gained notoriety for illicit drug trafficking, with the sole objective of arresting the drug kingpin known as “50”.
 
No sooner had the NDLEA officials apprehended the drug pin, and headed for the waiting patrol van stationed at Ikwerre Road by Iheoma Street, Mile 3, Diobu, the suspected cultists, who were fully armed with dangerous weapons such as broken bottles, stones, and guns, suddenly appeared and viciously attacked the NDLEA officials, inflicting heavy injuries on them. Acting in self-defence to repel the attack, the NDLEA officials fired some shots into the air, but the rampaging cultists were undeterred. The incident caused panic and pandemonium in the neighbourhood, including heavy traffic around the Ikwerre axis, making passersby scamper for safety. In the confusing and panicky atmosphere, the cultists went on a rampage, robbing pedestrians and motorists in the area. They eventually succeeded in escaping with their ally, alias “50”, on sighting a police patrol racing to the scene to arrest them.
 
The account might mirror scenes from a movie script, but it evidences the intimidating tactics, threats, or violence employed by cultists and deadly gangsters in Rivers State, to establish their dominance. For instance, on April 23, 2023, some gunmen kidnapped Mrs. Gloria Izonfuo, the federal commissioner representing Bayelsa State at the National Population Commission, alongside her driver, along the Ogbakiri junction/East-West Road in Emohua Local Council, Rivers State. According to the report by SB Morgan (SBM) Intelligence, a Lagos-based research firm, more than 100 cult groups are fuelling violence in Rivers State, leading to the loss of numerous lives. SBM says 639 persons were killed in gang violence in the state between May 30, 2007, and May 26, 2020, and about 73 per cent of the deaths were recorded between 2015 and 2020. According to the firm, “These cult groups – such as Deewell, Deebam, Icelanders, Greenlanders, Gberesaako Boys, and the Outlaws – individually and collectively have constituted a menace to the inhabitants of the state, causing incalculable human and economic loss in the process,” says SBM.
 
The painful aspect is that these cultists and criminal organisations have infiltrated the government and law enforcement agencies to further entrench their control of Rivers State, as witnessed in the last 2023 elections in Rivers State. The consequences of their control of state are profound. For example, corruption has become more rampant in Rivers. Some Rivers State authorities are turning a blind eye to the criminal activities of these cultists and criminal organisations operating in Rivers State to the extent that they actively collaborate with them in exchange for bribes or other benefits. Rivers State citizens are now afraid to leave their homes or go to work, and businesses. Some are being forced to pay protection levies to gangs, to protect their lives and property. The quality of life in Rivers is deteriorating rapidly.
 
The only way to reverse this ugly trend in Rivers State is to confront the root cause of the problem. This will involve a combination of law enforcement efforts to disrupt criminal activity, social programmes to address the underlying poverty and inequality that fuel gang recruitment, and community-led initiatives to promote safety and civic engagement. Another measure to employ in combating cultism and criminal activities is the increase in intelligence gathering capabilities, equipment, and training of the security operatives in the state. The government can also launch public awareness campaigns aimed at educating the public, especially the youth, about the dangers and negative consequences of cultism and gangsterism. This may include workshops, seminars, and community outreach programmes.
 
The government should as well introduce tougher penalties for those convicted of cultism and gangsterism as a deterrent for those contemplating getting involved in the crimes. This may include longer prison sentences and heavy fines for individuals and organisations found guilty of supporting or participating in these criminal activities. The Rivers State government can also provide rehabilitation programmes for former cultists and gang members. These interventions can include counselling, skills training, and job placement assistance to help them reintegrate into society and lead productive lives.
 
The government should also work closely with communities to establish community policing structures, using the community vigilante groups aimed at preventing and detecting cultism and gangsterism. This may involve setting up neighbourhood watch groups, empowering traditional rulers, and providing support for community-led initiatives to tackle these issues. Idleness breeds violence and criminality. Unless something is done urgently to stem the tide of youth unemployment in Rivers State, the Rivers State government may be heading for a final showdown with many restive youth hanging around the corners of the state.
 
By implementing these measures, the government can effectively combat cultism and gangsterism in Rivers State and create a safer and more peaceful environment for all citizens. While the road to recovery may be long and difficult, it is essential for the well-being of everyone living in Rivers State.