July 7: Things You Probably Don’t Know About 7/7 Cultism Day

July 7, often referred to as 7/7, stands out as a distinctive date on the calendar. For over twenty years, this day has been associated with violence across Nigeria.

For the general public, it might seem like any other day. However, for the Aiye Cult Group, also known as Black Axe, it marks an annual ‘ Founder’s Day’ celebration.

If it were merely about celebration, there would be no need for this detailed explanation.

The date 7/7 has become infamous for being a time when rival cult groups in Nigeria engaged in violent confrontations and killings.

Here is what you need to understand about 7/7 and its violent associations.

The origins of the 7/7 celebration are somewhat unclear. It is widely believed to commemorate the founding of the Black Axe cult group by nine University of Benin students.

READ: 7/7: Police Bars ‘Cult Celebration’ In Anambra, Warn Hotels, Bars, Others

The Black Axe Confraternity, notorious for its long history of violence, was founded on July 7, 1977, at UNIBEN.

It began as the Neo-Black Movement of Africa, aiming to combat oppression and promote justice among Nigerian students.

A BBC report has listed Black Axe as one of the most notorious organized crime groups globally.

This group has been involved in numerous illegal activities, including cult clashes, armed robbery, drug trafficking, internet fraud, and political thuggery. These actions have caused significant social unrest, loss of lives, and widespread fear in Nigerian communities.

Over time, July 7 has been chosen by cult members as a special day to initiate new recruits. Numerous violent incidents are reported on this day, linked to the group’s activities.

On July 7, 2021, six people were attacked in Delta State during Black Axe’s founder’s day celebrations. That year, police in Lagos and Osun issued warnings to the group, urging them not to celebrate and create chaos.

“The Police Command, based on intelligence, has warned the group to desist from celebrating 7/7/2021 to prevent unlawful gatherings and potential lawlessness in Lagos State,” read a statement from the Lagos Police Command in 2021.

In 2023, while preparations were underway for the 7/7 celebration, NBM leadership released a statement on July 6, 2023, distancing itself from the event and advising members to avoid gatherings claiming to be NBM-related.

“The Leadership of the Neo Black Movement of Africa (NBM), a Pan-African Group, has disassociated itself from any July 7 (77) celebration, falsely claimed to be the group’s founding day,” stated the National Public Relations Officer, Oluwatosin Dixon, on NBM’s verified Twitter handle.

Violence on 7/7 has been reported in various areas, including Ikorodu and Somolu in Lagos, UNIBEN, parts of Delta State, and Port-Harcourt in Rivers State.

On July 6, 2023, three individuals were reportedly killed in a rival cult war in Shomolu-Bariga, Lagos. This violence was linked to preparations for the 7/7 celebration.

On July 7, 2016, eleven people were killed in Sagamu, Ogun State, in an attack by suspected cult members celebrating 7/7.

The link between 7/7 and cult-related violence continues to be a significant concern for Nigerian communities and law enforcement agencies.