State Decline and the Return of Occult Powers: The Case of Prophet Eddy in Nigeria

Like some other African countries, Nigeria is a candidate for state collapse. At a recent conference sponsored by the National Intelligence Council of the United States, experts were already discussing strategies to deal with the possible eventuality of the country’s collapse. In early 1999, when Nigeria returned to democracy, expectations were more optimistic. After fifteen years of military rule, Nigerians hoped that life would again become more secure.1 But soon after the ‘‘democratic’’ elections, people witnessed an ‘‘explosion’’2 of violence. According to one report, ‘‘it is estimated that at least 50,000 people have been killed in various incidents of ethnic, religious and communal violence since the return to civilian rule.’’3 The federal government proclaimed a ban on ethnic militias and sent military units into some of the worst