Addressing Cultism to Strengthen Maritime Security in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria

The Niger Delta region, a vital centre for Nigeria's oil and gas exports, has encountered ongoing concerns of marine instability intensified by cult activities. Cultism, defined by structured criminal organisations, facilitates offences such oil theft, pipeline sabotage, and piracy, hence undermining economic and security frameworks in the region. Adverse socio-economic situations, such as poverty, unemployment, and corruption, exacerbate the recruitment of youth into cult organisations. This study seeks to examine the relationship between cultism and maritime insecurity in the Niger Delta, emphasising socio-economic factors, the effects of cult activities on maritime operations, and the efficacy of existing security measures. This research employs a quantitative approach based on Social Disorganisation Theory, which elucidates how socio-economic instability promotes criminal behaviour. Data were gathered using structured questionnaires administered to 200 personnel of the Nigerian Police Force from Anti-Cultism Units in Rivers and Delta States. The poll evaluated socio-economic conditions, the impact of cult activities on marine security, and the efficacy of current security measures. Descriptive and inferential statistics, in conjunction with Structural Equation Modelling (SEM), were utilised for data analysis, elucidating the relationships among variables. The results demonstrate that socio-economic issues, such as poverty, unemployment, and corruption, are key catalysts for cultism, with unemployment being the most potent predictor. Cult actions, including oil pipeline sabotage, piracy, and interruptions to offshore operations, significantly undermine marine infrastructure and economic stability. Moreover, although technology-driven surveillance has proven to be the most efficacious security tool, enforcement initiatives are impeded by resource limitations and corruption. Cultism significantly contributes to maritime insecurity in the Niger Delta by exploiting socio-economic vulnerabilities and undermining weak governance frameworks. Mitigating these difficulties necessitates enhancing law enforcement, augmenting technology-driven surveillance, and tackling the socio-economic underlying factors of cultism. Integrated methods are essential for restoring maritime security and promoting regional stability.