Following renewed cult-related killings in Edo State, the Benin United Forum (BUF), has urged the Oba of Benin, Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Ewuare II, to curse those involved in cult-related killings, as he did when human trafficking became an embarrassment in the kingdom.
In addition, the Edo State Police Command has reported that one person has died in the state’s rekindled cult conflict.
According to a source close to the scene of the confrontation in Upper Sokponba, eight people died.
The most recent clash is supposed to be between the Eiye and Vikings confraternity.
Though the reason of the conflicts is unknown, it is thought that the situation worsened when some of the people considered to be leaders of the organizations attempted to mediate the matter at Tipper Garage on Upper Sokponba Road in the Idogbo neighborhood.
It was stated that the attempt to reconcile difficulties did not work out, so some ‘Eiye men’ attacked the Vikings members and inflicted injuries on them with knives, but no lives were lost.
The source said, “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. The challenge in this is that one of the groups does not accept apology and the other does not apologise,” the source stated.
Meanwhile, the Benin United Forum has urged the Oba of Benin, Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Ewuare II, to put curses on those involved in cult-related killings, as he did when human trafficking reached humiliating proportions in the kingdom.
Benin United Forum issued a press release on Tuesday, signed by the group’s President and Secretary, Iyamu Culture and Osayuki-Osa Benson. It 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 have consumed the lives of countless youths especially at Upper Sakponba Axis which is often seen as the center ground for the barbaric act, followed by Egor/Uwelu, Ugbowo/Uselu, part of GRA.”
Another group, the Network of Civil Society Organisations, has urged the authorities to relax the state’s ban on vigilante groups in order to tackle the threat posed by cults.
According to the organization’s president, Ogbidi Emmanuel, the cult clash is partly blamed on the state’s porous security, which resulted from the “needless ban on the Edo State Joint Security Network,” which had previously been trained by the police.
“The ban, which was pronounced by the Inspector General of Police Mr Kayode Egbetokun have since brought about great increase in crime to an alarming rate, especially within the locals.”
The statement urged police to investigate the cult-related killings and bring criminals to justice.
When contacted, Police Public Relations Officer Moses Yamu stated that one person has been slain in the latest cult fight in the state.
“I don’t know if there were cult killings, but I can confirm one corpse was picked on Monday around the pipeline, I have the picture on my phone. As of Tuesday, I don’t have any information that anything has happened,” he added.
