Black Axe (confraternity)

On July 7, 1977, nine students from the University of Benin, led by Nicholas Idemudia, started the Neo Black Movement of Africa (NBM), a male brotherhood focused on "intellectual radicalism in pursuit of Pan-African struggles." Adopting a logo of a black axe "smashing the shackles of colonialism," the NBM was a response to the perceived excesses of the Pyrates, another confraternity group. This logo gave the group its common name, the Black Axe. The 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 themselves a brotherhood that focused on black realism and determinism. As the Black Axe expanded and its violence increased, the 1994 graduating members decided to separate the confraternity from the University of Benin. in 2008, Black Axe's membership was estimated to be over one thousand "educated males." In April 2024, reporter Biaca Bridger wrote, "Due to the secretive nature of the group it is difficult to ascertain the alleged links between the Neo-Black Movement and Black Axe. However, throughout Nigeria, the two groups are synonymous, with their members taking part in organized crime, human trafficking and money laundering." == Symbols ==

Black Axe's symbol comes from NBM and is a black axe above two hands in chains or the shackles of colonialism. 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. == Customs and rituals ==

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. The initiation ceremony itself is sometimes called Blending. The gatherings of new members are called Jollifications. There are several rituals that recruits must go through before they are admitted. 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 drink blood." After they are initiated, they are given a black robe with their logo and told that they "have just acquired (their) coffin." The confraternity also has a ceremony called a gyration where they worship Korofo, whom they also call "the unseen God" or "the devil to guide all men". == Governance ==

There is little information on the structure and hierarchy of the group. The group has a hierarchal structure that keeps everything running, comprising: • Priest • Chairman – an elected officer • Eyes – responsible for keeping an eye out for police at different events and initiation • Criers – responsible for publicity, including fliers and emails • Butchers – responsible for enforcing the rules, punishing members, and fighting rival confraternities == Criminal activities ==

The BBC has called the Black Axe a "mafia-style gang". Election fraud The Black Axe seems to have engaged in political misconduct. 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. They used the widely known Nigerian email scams, as well as social media, dating websites, and phone numbers to target US citizens. One of the names he operated under was the Abravoo Trading Company. Murder Much of Black Axe's violent crime, including murders and rapes, are not reported, as there is little policing within Benin City. Black Axe members entered the student's residence killing five and injuring eleven people. A year later, more Black Axe members were suspected in other sex trafficking activities in Italy. == See also ==