A British Broadcasting Commission (BBC) investigation has revealed how Nigerian politicians collaborate with the Black Axe cult group to commit election crimes.

The investigation, spanning two years of combing hacked documents and on-the-ground reporting, established the link between the criminal organisation and Nigerian politicians.

In a 52-minute video documentary, BBC Africa Eye suggests that high-profile politicians hire members of cult groups to kill and maim their rivals in politics.

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“All these politicians, they give us jobs sometimes,” masked members of the cult groups confessed to BBC. “We run errands for them. Some buy us all these cars. Like two or three cars for operations. We don’t fear because we have their backup. That’s what gives us the confidence to do what we do.

“They know if they’re rivals with someone, they give the assignment to tough guys like us. They know that whatever little money they give, we will do the job.”

Documents obtained by the BBC also revealed how N35 million was funnelled to an organisation called the Neo Black Movement of Africa (NBM), a group allegedly linked to the Black Axe, for support during the 2012 governorship election in Edo State.

When the BBC approached the leaders of NBM, Olorogun Ese Kakor, the group’s leader, denied the organisation’s link with the Black Axe.