Edo State Sees Spike in Cult Violence: Benin United Forum Urges Oba to Intervene
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In response to a resurgence of cult-related violence in Edo State, the Benin United Forum has urged the Oba of Benin, Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Ewuare II, to invoke curses on those involved, similar to his previous actions against human trafficking in the region. The forum believes that such a measure is necessary to restore peace and security in Edo State.
The Edo State Police Command has reported one confirmed death due to recent clashes, while local sources suggest the death toll may be as high as eight. The conflict reportedly involves the Eiye and Vikings confraternities.
The violence erupted during a failed peace meeting aimed at resolving ongoing disputes, held at Tipper Garage in the Idogbo area of Upper Sokponba Road. Sources indicate that tensions escalated after members of the Eiye group attacked Vikings members, resulting in injuries but no fatalities at that time. In retaliation, the Vikings allegedly killed a senior member of the Eiye faction, prompting further escalation of the violence.
Local sources have pointed out that the ongoing conflict is complicated by the fact that one group refuses to accept apologies, while the other does not offer them, fueling the cycle of violence.
In a press statement released on Tuesday, the Benin United Forum, led by President Iyamu Culture and Secretary Osayuki-Osa Benson, highlighted the troubling situation in areas like Upper Sakponba, Egor/Uwelu, and Ugbowo/Uselu, where youth lives have been lost to violence attributed to cultism.
Additionally, the Network of Civil Society Organisations has called for the police to lift the ban on vigilante groups in the state, asserting that this ban has exacerbated security issues. President Ogbidi Emmanuel emphasized that the Inspector General of Police’s ban on the Edo State Joint Security Network has led to a significant rise in crime.
The organization has urged law enforcement to investigate the recent cult-related killings and hold those responsible accountable. According to Police Public Relations Officer Moses Yamu, one confirmed death has been reported in the ongoing clashes.
In a related note, a local resident stated, “I’m not aware of any cult killings, but I can confirm that one corpse was found on Monday near the pipeline. I have a picture of it on my phone. As for Tuesday, I don’t have any updates indicating that anything further has occurred.”
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