Rivers State recorded the highest number of deaths from gang-related violence in Nigeria between January 2020 and March 2025, according to a new report by SBM Intelligence. The report, released Tuesday, shows that 1,686 people were killed in 909 separate cult-related incidents nationwide within the five-year period.
The South-South and Southwest regions were identified as the most affected by the violence, largely driven by longstanding rivalries and territorial battles among cult groups including Vikings, Icelanders, Aiye, Eiye, Black Axe, and Greenlanders.
Rivers State topped the chart with 215 reported fatalities, followed by Lagos with 197 and Edo with 192. The South-South alone accounted for over 750 deaths, with Rivers, Delta, and Bayelsa listed as the primary hotspots.
The report attributed the high death toll in Rivers to intense clashes among Viking, Icelanders, and Greenlander factions, which continue to dominate criminal activity in the state.
In the Southwest, at least 491 deaths were reported, with Lagos and Ogun States worst hit due to frequent confrontations between Aiye and Eiye confraternities. The Southeast also witnessed significant violence, recording 215 fatalities — particularly in Anambra State, where cult activity is increasingly linked to separatist agendas.
SBM Intelligence noted that the persistent cult rivalries have turned several urban and semi-urban communities into battlegrounds, posing a serious threat to public safety and national security.
