1. Background: The Law With Too Many Muscles and Not Enough Brain
Edo State’s anti-cultism law has long been presented as a decisive weapon in the fight against social violence — a show of force intended to reassure the public that the state is “doing something.” But like many Nigerian laws, it sometimes feels like a bodybuilding exercise: big biceps, tiny strategy.
The law criminalises membership of cult groups, association with them, and participation in related activities. On paper, strong. In practice, the implementation has been… let’s say “theatrical.”
2. Core Problem #1: Over-Criminalisation Without Distinction
One of the biggest issues is that the law treats the “cultist ecosystem” as a monolith.
Actual violent organisations Campus fraternities Groups that are essentially drinking clubs with matching polo shirts Innocent youths with a bad haircut or too much swagger
All receive the same treatment.
The enforcement logic sometimes goes like this:
Police Officer: You dey walk for Ring Road after 7 pm?
Youth: Yes.
Police Officer: Cultist confirmed! Enter motor.
This broad sweep approach overloads the justice system, clogs detention centres, and distracts from genuine threats.
3. Core Problem #2: Policing Strategy — More Brutish Than Effective
Implementation of the law has leaned heavily on mass arrests. This creates the illusion of action but produces little long-term impact. Rather than intelligence-led policing, operations often resemble market raids.
The result is:
Genuine criminals blending back into society after “settling.” Innocent youths traumatised or financially extorted. No sustainable dent in actual organised violence.
If cultism were a weed, Edo is still cutting leaves instead of uprooting roots.
4. Core Problem #3: Political Weaponisation
Like many security-related laws across Nigeria, the anti-cultism law is vulnerable to politicisation.
During high political tension or election seasons, the law quietly transforms into:
“Anti-Opposition Mobilisation Law, 2018 Edition.”
Rival youths suddenly find themselves labelled as “cultists,” while friendly neighbourhood strongmen magically become “community security partners.”
A law that should serve public safety ends up, occasionally, serving power.
5. Core Problem #4: Zero Rehabilitation Pathway
Every effective anti-cultism framework globally includes exit pathways:
counselling vocational training deradicalisation reintegration support
Edo’s system? Mostly arrests, remands, and occasional press conferences. There is no structured programme for people who genuinely want to leave cult groups and rebuild their lives.
So young people stuck in the cycle remain in the cycle — the state only meets them at the punitive end.
**6. Core Problem #5: Community Distrust
Community relationships with security operatives in Edo are, to put it mildly, complicated. Many citizens fear reporting cult activity because:
They don’t trust the police. They fear reprisals. They suspect information will leak. They believe the state focuses more on “raids for camera” than long-term safety.
This breakdown means the law operates with one eye closed and one ear blocked.
How to Re-Imagine the Law and Its Execution
1. Narrow the Definition and Create Tiers
The law should distinguish between:
Organised violent groups Campus fraternities with varying risk levels Non-violent associations Innocent social groups
A tiered structure allows proportionate penalties and targeted intervention.
2. Move from Raids to Intelligence
Adopt strategies based on:
Surveillance Community reporting Social network monitoring Tracking weapons, not hairstyles
This reduces arbitrary arrests and builds legitimacy.
3. Establish Rehabilitation and Amnesty Pathways
Edo needs structured programmes allowing youths to exit cult groups safely. Without an exit ramp, the highway to violence has only one direction.
4. De-Politicise Enforcement
Create oversight mechanisms ensuring the law is not weaponised for political ends. Independent reviews, community oversight committees, and transparency reports would help.
5. Invest in Prevention
The most realistic long-term solution:
Youth employment programmes Skills training After-school support Urban renewal in hotspots
Cultism grows where hope is absent.
Conclusion: A Law That Needs More Head and Less Hammer
Edo State’s anti-cultism law was born from legitimate fear and real social problems. But a law designed for surgical precision is being applied with a cutlass. To truly tackle cult violence, Edo must rebalance punishment with prevention, intelligence with fairness, and order with legitimacy.
It’s time to reconsider—not scrap—the law. With smarter design and honest implementation, it can shift from being a political tool or a mass-arrest instrument into a genuine public safety framework.
Centre for Nigeria Progress 