Community Coping Strategies to Cult violence in Rivers State, Nigeria

Cult violence has been a regular feature in Rivers State socio-political setting for more than two decades. Many of these groups initially focused on the promotion of social and political principles but have deteriorated into full-blown gangs perpetrating violence on residents in recent times. Furthermore, cult/gang groups in Rivers State have extended their influence to collecting rents, illegal extortion, determining political victory for patrons and other acts of organized criminality. These activities have provoked fierce supremacy and territorial battles between and within the various cult/gangs in Rivers State resulting in the destruction of properties and deaths of local residents unfortunate to be caught in the crossfire. As a result, local residents have had to rely on an assortment of strategies to cope with the violence especially in the face of government inaction and oftentimes, the complicity of security operatives. This book evaluates the various coping strategies adopted by residents in Emohua LGA, of Rivers State, one of the areas, that have been hit the hardest by cult/gang activities and violence in Rivers State.