ABSTRACT

This study was carried out to investigate the control mechanism put in place by government in eradicating and combating cultism in Anwunugbokor Community in Ahoada West Local Government of Rivers State. To achieve this objective, four research questions and two research hypotheses were formulated to guide this study. The data collected were analyzed using simple percentages and tables to analyze research questions and Chi-square statistical tool was used for testing of research hypotheses using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software. A structured questionnaire was used as the major instrument for data collection from the respondents in Anwunugbokor Community in Rivers State. After careful analysis of the data, the following findings were revealed that; there are challenges facing community leaders in eradicating cultism in Anwunugbokor Community in Ahoada West Local Government of Rivers State and government and security agencies efforts do not help in combating the menace in Rivers State. The study concluded with some recommendations that the moribund secret cult law(s) should be strengthened and revivified for effective prediction, prevention and control of this crime. It is not surprising therefore that Sociologists like Durkheim have concluded that when a crime rate is high or      unacceptable (as in the case of cultism in Anwunugbokor Community), it becomes dysfunctional, and it is only           punishment that can heal the wound done to the collective sentiments.