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of
Nigeria with anti-colonial activism. The group adopted violence to make its members "strong men". It claimed to fight against oppression, saying that its members would only kill for justice and would not kill the innocent. As the Black Axe expanded and its violence increased, the 1994 graduating members decided to separate the confraternity from the University of Benin.
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232:. Like NBM, its colors are white, black, and yellow. Members wear white shirts, black pants, a yellow tie, and headgear consisting of a yellow ribbon. White represents harmony and purity of the body and mind, black represents sympathy with the Black race, and yellow represents the intelligence of its members. Its members are called Axemen.
373:
The Black Axe seems to have engaged in political misconduct. For example, Augustus
Bemigho, a 2019 APC party candidate for political office, was connected to the Black Axe. Emails show that he "sent guidance on scamming to a network of collaborators on 62 occasions and communicated with others about
211:
NBM became a prominent group at many universities in
Nigeria during the 1980s. Its leaders then decided to connect with the Neo black movement of Africa, calling itself a brotherhood focusing on black realism and determinism. The iteration of the Black Axe confraternity blended the historic religion
244:
There are several initiation processes that these men must go through before they are granted admission. It is claimed that "the Axemen are stripped naked and forced to lie in mud while enduring severe physical abuse, crawl through their tormentors' legs in a process known as ‚devil's passage,‘ and
248:
Leaders use death threats and other types of violence against members that have any ideas of leaving the confraternity and the secrecy runs on fear. Some members, usually first-year students, are forcefully initiated. The Black Axe does this by "portraying the university environment as hostile and
240:
Before recruitment and initiation, the potential members must sign an "oath of secrecy," pledging that they would never reveal any information to non-members or violate the group's rules. Then the initiation ceremony, which is sometimes called "Blending," takes place and all of the new members are
215:
in 2008, Black Axe's membership was estimated to be over one thousand "educated males." NBM publicly disassociated itself from the Black Axe confraternity and has expelled nearly fifty connected members, including four former NBM national presidents. However, various publications refer to NBM and
413:. Starting in 2017, a man, who was supposedly working with the Black Axe, opened many bank accounts to conceal money that was secured from fraudulent schemes such as business email compromises. One of the names he operated under was the Abravoo Trading Company.
445:. Holding shotguns and hatchets, they called out to specific students, saying things like "Faro, come out if you are a man! Legacy, come out if na your father born you!" The Black Axe member enter the student's residence killing and injuring sixteen people.
401:
arrested 75 suspected members of the Black Axe for trying to wire one million dollars over many bank accounts. This operation spanned four countries in four continents. Along with cars and luxury items, Interpol agents seized 12,000
337:
Chief Priest – Responsible for all of the activities within the Black Axe, as well as keeping research about the
African traditional religion up to date. They also act as an assistant to the National Head.
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confraternity, resulting in the deaths of nine people. At least 53 people were injured or killed between March 2009 and June 2013 in fights between the Black Axe and their rivals, the Eiye confraternity.
334:
National Head – Runs the confraternity on a day-to-day basis, coordinating all of the departments below them. They are seen as the face of the Black Axe and serve as an example to all the Axe-Men.
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after a ritual that bonded her to her traffickers' debts. It was reported that she had been "imprisoned, raped, blackmailed, and forced into prostitution to pay a debt of about €15,000."
330:
There is little information on the structure and hierarchy of the group, despite extensive media coverage. The group has a hierarchal structure that keeps everything running, comprising:
437:
Much of Black Axe's violent crime, including murders and rapes, are not reported, as there is little policing within Benin City. On 10 July 1999, forty members of the Black Axe drove to
374:
specific scamming targets." Some of the documents in his emails show that in Benin City, 35 million naira ($ 85,000; £64,000) was directed to the Black Axe to secure votes in 2012.
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245:
drink blood." This is used to degrade them and connect them. It has also been said that some of the ceremonies include bonfires, drugs, and the sexual assault of women.
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394:
schemes to defraud investors. They used the widely known
Nigerian email scams, as well as social media, dating websites, and phone numbers to target US citizens.
249:
students as in need of protection." After they are initiated, they are given a black robe with their logo and told that they "have just acquired (their) coffin."
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In
October 2021, eight members of the Black Axe were arrested and charged in connection with Internet scams. In 2011 and 2012, members of the group in
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456:, exploitation of prostitution and violent crimes." A year later, more Black Axe members were suspected in other sex trafficking activities in Italy.
343:
Eyes – Responsible for keeping an eye out for police at different events and initiation. They also help connect with similar groups of similar ideals.
421:
There are many instances of violence between the Black Axe and other confraternities. In May 2009, there was a fight between the Black Axe and the
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Criers – Responsible for managing the website, publishing information about events, and overall organization of information.
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struggles." Adopting a logo of a black axe "smashing the shackles of colonialism," the NBM was a response to the
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Chairman – Not much is known, but they are also one of the higher-ups within the hierarchy of the Black Axe
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An
Assessment of Black Axe Confraternity Cult in Nigeria: Its Impact on the University Educational System
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Black Axe's symbol comes from NBM and is a black axe above two hands in chains or the shackles of
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has called the Black Axe a "mafia-style gang". NBM has publically dissassociated from Black Axe.
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751:"Representation of Nigeria's Black Axe Criminal Organization: Mafia, Cult, or Confraternity?"
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Butchers – Responsible for enforcing the rules of the Black Axe and keeping members in line.
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644:"Neo-Black Movement a.k.a. Black Axe - social movement or international criminal network?"
409:
In 2023, a member of the Black Axe was caught trying to steal one million dollars through
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In
January 2022, four Black Axe members were arrested after forcing a woman into
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Nigeria: Black Axe
Confraternity Members Found With a Gallon of Human Blood (
252:
The confraternity also has a ceremony called a "gyration" where they worship
208:
reported excesses." This logo gave the group its common name, the Black Axe.
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200:(NBM), a male brotherhood focused on "intellectual radicalism in pursuit of
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866:"Black Axe: Leaked documents shine spotlight on secretive Nigerian gang"
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703:"'Campus Cults' In Nigeria: The Development Of An Anti-Social Movement"
442:
256:, who they also call "the unseen God" or "the devil to guide all men".
173:
922:
Black Axe cyber-gang affiliate charged with money laundering in the US
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113:
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968:"Italian Cops Try To Stop A Sex Trafficking Gang Called Black Axe"
836:"Stigmatization of Obstetric Fistula Patients in Northern Nigeria"
449:
106:
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241:
gathered. The gathering of them is nicknamed as "Jollification."
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615:"The Black Axe: How a pan-African freedom movement lost its way"
1239:
1051:
579:"History Of Black Axe Confraternity - Neo Black Movement (NBM)"
362:
263:
181:
897:"Operation Jackal: Interpol arrests Black Axe fraud suspects"
448:
In 2016, almost two dozen Black Axe members were arrested in
677:
Black Axe: Nigeria's Mafia Cult - BBC Africa Eye documentary
1023:
425:. This led to injuries and deaths amongst students at the
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The ultra-violent cult that became a global mafia (BBC)
429:. In March 2010, another fight broke out against the
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506:"The ultra-violent cult that became a global mafia"
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23:
1276:List of criminal enterprises, gangs and syndicates
642:Betton, Margherita; Klaubert, David (7 May 2020).
365:has called the Black Axe a "mafia-style gang".
707:Movers and Shakers: Social Movements in Africa
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16:Nigerian political and religious organization
8:
298:. Unsourced material may be challenged and
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20:
353:The last three groups each have a chief.
318:Learn how and when to remove this message
834:Surajo, Aminu Zubairu (1 January 2021).
192:On July 7, 1977, nine students from the
806:Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada
493:
218:Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada
216:Black Axe as synonymous, including the
196:, led by Nicholas Idemudia started the
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406:that helped identify many suspects.
296:adding citations to reliable sources
802:"Responses to Information Requests"
993:Tondo, Lorenzo (19 January 2022).
920:Black, Damien. (22 October 2022) "
482:List of confraternities in Nigeria
14:
1637:Organized crime groups in Nigeria
749:Boyers, Candice (28 April 2023).
715:10.1163/ej.9789004180130.i-260.86
613:Williams, Sean (September 2019).
1605:
1595:
864:Eye, Africa (13 December 2021).
504:Eye, Africa (13 December 2021).
268:
1163:LGBT rights in Northern Nigeria
1168:Recognition of same-sex unions
1024:NBM of Africa official website
1:
1662:Transnational organized crime
938:Hyena, Hank (2 August 1999).
45:University of Benin (Nigeria)
1642:Student societies in Nigeria
423:De Norsemen Kclub of Nigeria
198:Neo Black Movement of Africa
166:Neo Black Movement of Africa
62:Neo Black Movement of Africa
709:, Brill, pp. 221–236,
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1632:Confraternities in Nigeria
583:Ordinary Man Helped by God
477:Confraternities in Nigeria
439:Obafemi Awolowo University
1591:
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1117:Female genital mutilation
168:(NBM) established at the
1652:African secret societies
1578:Cryptocurrency and crime
940:"When things fall apart"
386:were accused of running
1079:Human rights violations
701:Ellis, Stephen (2008),
452:for "mafia conspiracy,
1400:Outlaw motorcycle club
1158:LGBT rights in Nigeria
463:. She was forced into
417:Confraternity violence
34:; 47 years ago
974:. Boston. 16 May 2018
648:Journalismfund Europe
164:. It formed from the
1657:Criminal subcultures
1571:Financial regulation
292:improve this section
178:Pan African movement
160:is an international
123:Black Axe and chains
901:www.theregister.com
782:. 13 September 2024
427:University of Abuja
194:University of Benin
170:University of Benin
1385:Front organization
1107:Child sexual abuse
928:, 15 November 2023
680:, 12 December 2021
548:. 14 December 2023
397:In 2021 and 2022,
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1132:Human trafficking
1127:Girl child labour
1122:Gender inequality
1112:Domestic violence
808:. 28 October 2022
724:978-90-04-18013-0
619:Harper's Magazine
461:human trafficking
357:Member misconduct
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32:July 7, 1977
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585:. 2 October 2023
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1562:South Africa
1500:Prison gangs
1215:Demographics
1184:Child labour
1151:Towards LGBT
1035:
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999:The Guardian
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144:Headquarters
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1552:Philippines
1527:Netherlands
1495:New Orleans
1473:Los Angeles
1441:New Zealand
1414:By location
1405:Prison gang
1380:Drug cartel
1283:Aspects and
1005:19 December
978:19 December
949:19 December
906:19 December
875:19 December
760:19 December
730:19 December
684:19 December
653:19 December
624:6 September
589:19 December
552:19 December
392:advance-fee
378:Cyber Crime
230:colonialism
202:Pan-African
59:Affiliation
1626:Categories
1611:Wiktionary
1468:California
1426:Bangladesh
1292:Population
1285:components
1210:Corruption
1036:Atlas News
488:References
260:Governance
39:1977-07-07
1456:Liverpool
1421:Australia
1355:Informant
926:Cybernews
542:"History"
404:SIM cards
279:does not
158:Black Axe
24:Black Axe
1537:Pakistan
1375:Banditry
1350:Henchman
1345:Gun moll
1340:Gangster
1205:Abortion
1198:See also
1137:Polygamy
1001:. London
471:See also
399:Interpol
369:Politics
136:Nickname
75:Emphasis
1601:Commons
1532:Nigeria
1490:Memphis
1485:Georgia
1480:Chicago
1451:Glasgow
1436:Germany
1083:Nigeria
443:Ile-Ife
431:Maphite
300:removed
285:sources
236:Rituals
224:Symbols
206:Pyrates
188:History
174:Nigeria
149:Nigeria
128:Members
37: (
29:Founded
1583:Hawala
1542:Panama
1522:Mexico
1431:Canada
1307:Colors
1297:Tattoo
1225:Sharia
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515:3 July
254:Korofo
139:Axemen
120:Symbol
114:Yellow
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109:, and
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93:Colors
70:Active
67:Status
1517:India
1390:Mafia
1368:Types
1312:Patch
1267:Gangs
1142:Women
944:Salon
450:Italy
107:Black
100:White
85:Scope
1547:Peru
1510:List
1333:List
1328:Boss
1321:Role
1302:Sign
1007:2023
980:2023
972:WBUR
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732:2023
719:ISBN
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