3 weeks ago
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File photo: Cultists brandishing cutlass
The Edo State Police Command has confirmed the death of one person in a renewed cult war in the state.
However, a source close to the area where the clash took place in Upper Sokponba said that it was eight people who were killed.
The latest clash is said to be between the Eiye and Vikings confraternity.
Though the cause of the clashes was not yet known, PUNCH Metro gathered that the issues escalated when some of the people believed to be leaders of the groups tried to resolve the crisis in a meeting called at the Tipper garage in Idogbo area of Upper Sakponba Road.
It was said that the attempt to settle issues did not work out after, which some Eiye men attacked the Vikings members and inflicted injuries on them with knives but no life was lost.
The source said that the Vikings went back in their numbers and killed one of the top members of Eiye which led to an escalation of the crisis and killing spree.
Meanwhile, a group, Benin United Forum, has called on the Oba of Benin, Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Ewuare II, to invoke curses on those involved in cult-related killings like he did when human trafficking assumed an embarrassing dimension in the kingdom.
A press statement signed by the President and Secretary of the group, Iyamu Culture and Osayuki-Osa Benson, read, “We humbly appeal to Omo N’ Oba N’ Edo, Uku Akpolo Kpolo, Oba Ewuare II, to direct our Ohens (Chief Priests) across the length and breadth of Benin Kingdom to immediately place curse(s) on those who are hiding under cultism to kill themselves in parts of Benin City which has consumed the lives of countless youths, especially at Upper Sakponba area which is often seen as the centreground for the barbaric act, followed by Egor/Uwelu, Ugbowo/Uselu parts of the GRA.”
Another group, the Network of Civil Society Organisations, called on the police to lift the ban on vigilante groups in the state to help combat the menace of cult groups.
In a statement by the president, Ogbidi Emmanuel, the group said the cult clash was largely blamed on the porous nature of security in the state, following the “needless ban on the Edo State Joint Security Network earlier trained by the police.
“The ban, which was pronounced by the Inspector General of Police, Mr Kayode Egbetokun, has since brought about a great increase in crime to an alarming rate, especially within the locals.”
The statement called on the police to investigate the cult-related killings and bring perpetrators to book.
When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, Moses Yamu, said one person had so far been killed in the renewed cult clash in the state.
“I don’t know if there were cult killings, but I can confirm one corpse was picked on Monday around Pipeline. I have the picture on my phone. As of Tuesday, I don’t have any information that anything happened.”
