This content doesnt intend to promote negative stereotypes or focus selectively on negative aspects of an ethnic group, which would be inappropriate and potentially harmful in Nigeria. Instead, we focus on providing a balanced, factual overview of the mentioned tribes in Nigeria that acknowledges their complex history without promoting negative stereotypes.
Enter the labyrinthine landscape of Nigeria, where myriad cultures coalesce, and tales of intrigue and peril abound. Beyond the vibrant tapestry of traditions and customs lies a realm obscured by shadows, a realm inhabited by Nigeria’s Most Wicked Tribes and states . In this exploration, we peel back the layers of secrecy and delve into the heart of darkness that lurks within the nation’s borders.
Nigeria, often celebrated for its rich cultural heritage and diverse population, harbors hidden depths that belie its outward charm. Beneath the surface of bustling cities and verdant landscapes lies a darker underbelly, a landscape marred by violence, corruption, and nefarious practices.
At the heart of this darkness lie certain tribes and states whose reputations precede them, their names whispered in hushed tones by those familiar with their notoriety. From the labyrinthine alleys of Edo state to the bustling metropolises of the Yoruba tribe, these regions have earned a reputation for danger and lawlessness.
Yet, to merely label these tribes and states as dangerous would be to overlook the nuanced complexities that underpin their societal fabric. For amidst the chaos and disorder, there exists a tapestry of history, culture, and tradition—a tapestry woven with threads of resilience and defiance.
In this exploration, we shall embark on a journey through the shadowy realms of Nigeria, shining a light on the most dangerous tribes and states that inhabit its landscape. From the insidious influence of cults and secret societies to the specter of political corruption and social unrest, we shall endeavor to uncover the truths that lie hidden beneath the surface.
Contents
Most Wicked Tribes in Nigeria and Their Histories
Join us as we venture into the unknown, where danger lurks around every corner, and the line between myth and reality blurs. Welcome to the dark heart of Nigeria, where the shadows hold secrets that few dare to uncover. Here is a list of some of the Most Wicked Tribes in Nigeria
1. The Fulani
Nomads of the Sahel, the Fulani have roamed the vast expanses of West Africa centuries. Fulani has been attributed as the most wicked tribe in Nigeria due to the incessant killings by some people from this part of the country. News reports of Fulani herdsmen killings and attacks on farmlands in different villages have left many people from other southern states living in constant fear of this dangerous group.
Most Fulani groups live a nomadic lifestyle and are mostly cattlemen. They don’t stay in one place but move from one place to the other. They are often seen with a stick and weapon (machete or dagger) taking with them their herd (cows, goats, and sheep). They make money through trade and are known to have cultural discipline.
Predominantly, Islam is the major religion of this group as they are found in the northern part of the country. Fulani-speaking states include some parts of Gombe, Sokoto, Katsina, Bauchi, Kebbi, Adamawa, and Yobe states. It would shock you to know that those miscreants trying to rubbish the Fulanis are just 9% out of the majority as they are also peace-loving people if you go close to them.
Contemporary Conflict
The Fulani (or Fula) are one of Nigeria’s largest ethnic groups, with a complex history spanning centuries. Historically, they established the powerful Sokoto Caliphate in the early 19th century through Islamic reform movements. In contemporary Nigeria, tensions have emerged in some regions between nomadic Fulani herders and farming communities over land and water resources, particularly in Nigeria’s Middle Belt. These conflicts have sometimes turned violent, resulting in displacement and loss of life. However, it’s important to note that the Fulani are a diverse people, and most are peaceful contributors to Nigerian society. Like any large ethnic group, their history contains varied elements that cannot be reduced to a single characterization.
2. The Ogoni
The Ogoni tribe stands accused of various transgressions, including acts of violence, abduction, and other illicit activities. Notably, a prominent figure, as reported online, described the Ogonis as one of Nigeria’s most malevolent tribes, highlighting a disturbing trend of callousness within their community. According to this source, the value of human life in Ogoni territory appears negligible, with individuals seemingly capable of driving others to madness at the drop of a coin—illustrated by the claim that one can induce insanity in another for a mere N500.
Our inquiry into the Ogoni people and the aforementioned misconduct attributed to them reveals a backdrop of governmental neglect. For years, the Ogoni community has been subjected to egregious violations of their human rights. Between 1976 and 1991 alone, an alarming 2,976 oil spills, amounting to approximately 2.1 million barrels of oil, befouled Ogoniland—constituting around 40% of the Royal Dutch/Shell company’s total oil spills worldwide.
The consequences of this environmental degradation are dire. As per the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), over 200 sites in Ogoniland have become barren wastelands due to oil contamination, gas flaring, and toxic waste discharge. Such pollution has rendered vast swathes of fertile land infertile, making agriculture unsustainable. Moreover, even seemingly untouched areas conceal insidious dangers, with groundwater tainted by high levels of hydrocarbons and carcinogenic benzene, surpassing WHO safety guidelines by a staggering 900-fold, imperiling human health.
In 1993, when the Ogoni people attempted to peacefully protest against the contractors responsible for despoiling their lands and waters, the Nigerian government’s Mobile Police forcefully intervened to suppress the unrest, exacerbating tensions in the region.
Dangerous Aspect of Ogoni History
The Ogoni people of Nigeria’s Niger Delta have a history marked not by danger they posed, but by grave dangers inflicted upon them, primarily due to environmental devastation and state violence:
- Environmental Catastrophe: Since the 1950s, Ogoniland has suffered severe pollution from multinational oil extraction (notably Shell). Oil spills, gas flaring, and contaminated water destroyed their farmlands, fisheries, and health, creating one of the world’s worst environmental tragedies.
- Peaceful Resistance & Brutal Suppression: In the early 1990s, the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP), led by Ken Saro-Wiwa, organized non-violent protests demanding environmental cleanup, resource control, and political rights. The Nigerian military regime (under Sani Abacha) responded with extreme brutality:
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- Mass Killings: Military raids killed thousands of Ogoni civilians.
- Persecution: Activists were arrested, tortured, and detained without trial.
- Judicial Murder: In 1995, Ken Saro-Wiwa and eight other MOSOP leaders were executed after a blatantly unfair trial, sparking global outrage.
The “dangerous” aspect of Ogoni history is the violence and destruction they endured, environmental ruin from oil exploitation and horrific state repression for peacefully demanding justice and survival. Their story is a tragic testament to the human cost of resource extraction and authoritarianism.
Read Also: 10 major tribes in Nigeria and their languages
3. The Ijaw
Dwelling in the labyrinthine waterways of the Niger Delta, the Ijaw people are intimately connected to the lifeblood of Nigeria—oil. Yet, beneath the veneer of wealth lies a tale of exploitation and marginalization. Frustrated by the plunder of their natural resources, some Ijaw have taken up arms in defiance, challenging the status quo with a ferocity born of desperation.
Dangerous Aspect of the Ijaw People
The Ijaw, one of Nigeria’s largest ethnic groups primarily in the Niger Delta, have been associated with armed militancy and resource-based conflict, particularly between the early 2000s and late 2010s. This “dangerous” dimension stems from:
- Environmental Injustice & Economic Marginalization: Decades of oil exploration by multinational corporations (e.g., Shell, Chevron) caused catastrophic pollution (oil spills, gas flaring), destroying fisheries, farmlands, and public health. Despite hosting Nigeria’s oil wealth, the Ijaw faced extreme poverty, underdevelopment, and political exclusion.
- Rise of Armed Militancy: Frustration boiled over into armed resistance. Groups like the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) emerged, demanding resource control, environmental cleanup, and greater political autonomy. Tactics included:
- Pipeline Vandalism & Oil Theft: Disrupting oil infrastructure to cripple production and fund operations.
- Kidnapping: Targeting foreign oil workers and Nigerian officials for ransom or political leverage.
- Armed Attacks: Clashes with Nigerian military forces (Joint Task Force – JTF) and sabotage of oil facilities.
- Violence and Instability: This militancy significantly reduced Nigeria’s oil output (costing billions), created insecurity in the Delta, led to human rights abuses by both militants and security forces, and caused civilian displacement. The region became synonymous with violence and criminality.
- Amnesty and Lingering Issues: A 2009 Federal Government Amnesty Program offered disarmament, stipends, and training to militants, drastically reducing large-scale violence. However, the root causes remain:
- Unresolved Pollution: Environmental devastation persists, fueling resentment.
- Unfulfilled Promises: Slow development and inadequate reintegration of ex-militants breed disillusionment.
- Residual Criminality: Oil theft (“bunkering”) and sporadic violence continue, often driven by criminal networks rather than political goals.
The “danger” was not inherent to the Ijaw people but emerged as a response to systemic neglect, environmental devastation, and the violent suppression of their demands for justice and equity. While militancy inflicted significant damage, it was a symptom of deeper, unresolved crises in the Niger Delta. Most Ijaw people are peaceful, but the legacy of conflict and the ongoing struggle for resource justice remain defining challenges.
4. The Hausa-Fulani
A symbiotic union forged through centuries of trade and conquest, the Hausa-Fulani alliance wields unparalleled influence in Nigerian politics. Yet, this dominance has also bred resentment among other ethnic groups, who view them as interlopers imposing their will upon the nation.
Dangerous Aspect of the Hausa People
The Hausa, one of Nigeria’s largest ethnic groups (predominantly in the North), are often associated with intercommunal violence, religious extremism, and political dominance, though these dynamics stem from systemic issues rather than inherent traits.
Hausa-majority regions have witnessed recurring violence between Muslims (mostly Hausa-Fulani) and Christian minorities (e.g., in Plateau, Kaduna, and Bauchi states). Triggers include land disputes, political grievances, and religious polarization, often escalating into riots, massacres, and mass displacement (e.g., the 2010 Jos crises).
Northern Nigeria (Hausa heartland) is the epicenter of Boko Haram and other Islamist insurgencies. While these groups do not represent mainstream Hausa society, they exploit:
- Poverty, illiteracy, and state neglect in the North.
- Perceived marginalization of conservative Muslim communities.
Boko Haram’s brutality (suicide bombings, abductions, killings) has destabilized the region and fueled global perceptions of “Northern danger.”
Hausa-Fulani elites have historically dominated Nigeria’s military and political power (especially post-independence). This has fostered resentment among Southern and Middle Belt groups, who view it as:
- Exclusionary governance favoring Northern interests.
- A driver of inequality, as the North remains Nigeria’s poorest region despite political clout.
- Power struggles (e.g., after the 1966 coup) contributed to the Nigerian Civil War (1967–1970) and ongoing sectarian tensions.
The “dangerous aspect” linked to the Hausa reflects Nigeria’s broader struggles with inequality, religious polarization, and elite-driven division not the character of the Hausa people themselves. Addressing root causes (governance, development, justice) is key to peace.
5. The Igbo
While the Igbos have gained renown as the wealthiest tribe in Nigeria, attributed to their astute business acumen, they also bear the reputation of being among the most difficult tribes in the nation today. Despite being predominantly situated in five Igbo-speaking states within Nigeria, their influence extends far beyond national borders, with diaspora communities dispersed across the globe.
Curious as to why the Igbos are deemed among Nigeria’s wicked tribes? Well, some individuals within this tribe have garnered notoriety for engaging in fraudulent activities and other criminal endeavors on an international scale, tarnishing the nation’s image. A cursory examination of individuals implicated in fraud and drug smuggling cases by countries such as Thailand, Malaysia, and Dubai reveals a disproportionate representation of the Igbo community.
Driven by an insatiable pursuit of wealth, many Igbos are willing to resort to unethical means to achieve financial prosperity. Shockingly, some resort to engaging in rituals or “blood money” schemes involving their kin to amass riches. Engage in a conversation with an average Igbo individual, and you may encounter sentiments expressing a lack of solidarity within their community, characterized by a pervasive sense of selfishness.
The infamous case of Obinwanne Okeke, a Nigerian entrepreneur widely known as Invictus Obi, currently embroiled in an $11 million advanced internet scam investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), serves as a stark illustration. Notably, Okeke hails from the Igbo ethnic group, adding fuel to the perception of criminality associated with this tribe.
Furthermore, the Igbos have endured their fair share of injustices inflicted upon them by both the federal government and other ethnic groups. From the harrowing Nigeria-Biafra civil war, marked by widespread massacres and the displacement of millions of Igbo people, to their marginalized political representation and the brutal crackdown on peaceful Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) members, the Igbo-speaking populace has been subjected to systemic discrimination and defamation. Indeed, such treatment has fostered animosity towards the Igbo community, rendering them the most vilified ethnic group in the country.
Dangerous Aspect of the Igbo People
The Igbo, one of Nigeria’s largest ethnic groups (predominantly in the Southeast), are often linked to secessionist ambitions and systemic resistance, rooted in historical trauma and perceived marginalization. Key aspects include:
- The Biafran Secession (1967–1970):
The defining “danger” label stems from the Igbo-led attempt to secede as the Republic of Biafra after the 1966 anti-Igbo pogroms (where 30,000–50,000 Igbos were killed in Northern Nigeria).
The resulting Nigerian Civil War caused 1–3 million deaths (mostly Igbo civilians from starvation). This framed the Igbo as “secessionists” in Nigeria’s national narrative.
- Post-War Marginalization:
After Biafra’s defeat, Igbos faced systemic exclusion:
- Economic Disempowerment: Confiscation of properties (“abandoned property” policies), the “20-pound” exchange limit (destroying Igbo wealth), and limited federal investment in the Southeast.
- Political Alienation: Few Igbo held top military/political roles for decades, fostering a sense of second-class citizenship.
This created a legacy of distrust and grievances that persist today. The “dangerous” label attached to the Igbo reflects Nigeria’s unresolved tensions over unity, justice, and inclusion. It is a narrative shaped by historical trauma, ongoing marginalization, and the struggle for self-determination—not an inherent trait. Addressing structural inequities remains key to national stability.
6. The Yoruba
If your quest leads you to seek out one of Nigeria’s most hazardous tribes, you need not search any further, for the Yoruba tribe has earned its place on the list of the most wicked tribes in Nigeria. In this region, instances of jungle justice are disturbingly frequent. Youths engaging in violent altercations, involvement in cult activities, theft, abduction, child sexual assault, and the pernicious influence of corrupt politicians shaping societal norms are all phenomena intertwined with this ethnic group. Additionally, reports of the use of human body parts for ritualistic or cultural practices further underscore the unsettling reality associated with the Yoruba tribe.
Dangerous Aspect of the Yoruba People
The Yoruba, one of Nigeria’s largest ethnic groups (predominantly in the Southwest), are linked to rising ethnic nationalism, secessionist agitation, and vigilante violence—driven by historical grievances and contemporary political fractures.
Groups like the Ilana Omo Oodua (IOO) and Yoruba Nation agitators demand an independent “Oduduwa Republic,” citing:
- Marginalization in federal appointments and resource allocation.
- Insecurity (herder-farmer clashes, kidnappings) in Yorubaland.
Though less unified than Igbo IPOB, their rhetoric fuels regional tensions and clashes with security forces. The “dangerous aspect” linked to the Yoruba reflects Nigeria’s struggle with ethnic justice, security, and self-determination. It is a response to systemic failures not an inherent trait. Addressing governance deficits and equitable inclusion is vital to de-escalate tensions.
7. The Kanuri
Guardians of a storied legacy, the Kanuri people trace their lineage back to the medieval kingdom of Kanem-Bornu. Today, they find themselves at the forefront of Nigeria’s battle against insurgency, as Boko Haram seeks to impose its radical ideology on the populace. Yet, amidst the chaos, the Kanuri remain steadfast in their determination to preserve their way of life.
Dangerous Aspect of the Kanuri People
The Kanuri, predominant in Nigeria’s volatile Northeast (Borno State), are primarily associated with the Boko Haram insurgency not as perpetrators, but as the primary victims and geographic core of Africa’s deadliest conflict.
Boko Haram (and its ISIS affiliate ISWAP) emerged and thrived in Kanuri heartlands. Key leaders like Abubakar Shekau (deceased) and Abu Musab al-Barnawi were Kanuri. The group exploited Kanuri marginalization, poverty, and weak governance to recruit, framing itself as a defender against state neglect and corruption. Kanuri communities became both recruiting grounds and hostages to the insurgency.
The “dangerous aspect” linked to the Kanuri is a tragic narrative of victimhood and exploitation. They are the unwilling epicenter of Boko Haram’s brutality, suffering immensely while being unfairly stigmatized. Their struggle underscores the failure of the Nigerian state to protect its most vulnerable citizens.
8. The Ibibio
Masters of ritual and ceremony, the Ibibio people inhabit the lush forests of Nigeria’s southeastern coast. Yet, behind the facade of cultural vibrancy lies a history of internal strife and conflict. As traditional beliefs collide with the forces of modernization, the Ibibio grapple with the challenges of preserving their heritage in a rapidly changing world.
9. The Edo
If your inquiry pertains to locating the Nigerian state harboring the highest concentration of cult members, practitioners of witchcraft, members of the Ogboni fraternity, and kidnappers, your search concludes with Edo State. Not only does this state bear witness to such alarming phenomena, but it also holds a reputation for harboring individuals characterized by greed and malevolence. Incidents of familial, inter-communal, and inter-village conflicts leading to bloody altercations are regrettably commonplace within this state.
10. The Itsekiri
Navigators of the Niger Delta, the Itsekiri people have long served as intermediaries between the coastal communities and the outside world. Yet, their strategic location has made them targets for exploitation by outside forces seeking to control the region’s vast resources. Despite the challenges they face, the Itsekiri remain resilient, drawing strength from their ancestral ties to the land.
Conclusion
As we conclude our exploration of Nigeria’s most wicked tribes, one thing becomes abundantly clear, their stories are as diverse as the land they call home. From the windswept plains of the Sahel to the labyrinthine waterways of the Niger Delta, each tribe bears witness to the complexities of Nigerian society. Yet, amidst the chaos and turmoil, there exists a glimmer of hope, a shared desire for unity and understanding. So, as we bid farewell to this captivating journey, let us reflect on the lessons learned and the bridges built between cultures. After all, it is through understanding and empathy that we can truly appreciate the rich tapestry of Nigerian heritage.
