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Violence in Nigeria

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Conclusion<br />

89<br />

Although the media has been accused of fuell<strong>in</strong>g the belief <strong>in</strong> witchcraft and<br />

cults, fatal cases reported by newspapers are as real as the threat associated with<br />

witchcraft <strong>in</strong> the m<strong>in</strong>d of the African. The <strong>Nigeria</strong> Watch database shows that<br />

witchcraft-related violence is more prevalent <strong>in</strong> the southern than <strong>in</strong> the northern<br />

part of <strong>Nigeria</strong>. The ma<strong>in</strong> reason for this can be found <strong>in</strong> the history, traditions,<br />

and culture of these areas, and <strong>in</strong> the <strong>in</strong>troduction to a foreign monotheistic religion,<br />

which occurred earlier <strong>in</strong> the North than <strong>in</strong> the South. In the case of cult<br />

kill<strong>in</strong>gs, fatalities and <strong>in</strong>cidents are highest <strong>in</strong> Rivers State. Although cult-related<br />

kill<strong>in</strong>gs are also to be found <strong>in</strong> Nasarawa, Kwara, and Benue states, eight northern<br />

states were totally free of the problem, while <strong>in</strong> the South, all the states recorded<br />

at least one <strong>in</strong>cidence of cult kill<strong>in</strong>g. However, empirical evidence connect<strong>in</strong>g<br />

witchcraft and cult societies to violent deaths is low compared with the<br />

widespread belief <strong>in</strong> occult phenomena.<br />

References<br />

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Africa. African Studies Review 41(3): 1-14.<br />

EGBOCHUKU, E. (2009), Secret Cult Activities <strong>in</strong> Institutions of Higher Learn<strong>in</strong>g: Lessons from<br />

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IFEKA, C. & E. FLOWER (1997), Captur<strong>in</strong>g the Global: Identities, K<strong>in</strong>ship, and Witchcraft Trials<br />

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KOHNERT, D. (2007), On the Articulation of Witchcraft and Modes of Production Among the<br />

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Cult <strong>Violence</strong> <strong>in</strong> Ogoniland. ERAS 12(2), March.

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