Violent clashes have erupted in Benin City, Edo State, specifically around Upper Sokponba Road, resulting in at least eight fatalities. Some sources estimate the death toll to be as high as 20 over the past three days.
The renewed cult war is reportedly between rival groups, Supreme Eiye Confraternity (SEC) and Supreme Vikings Confraternity. The underlying cause of the conflict remains unclear.
According to reports, leaders of the groups attempted to resolve the issue through a meeting at Tipper Garage in Idogbo, Upper Sokponba Road. However, the gathering ended in vain.
Alleged Eiye members initially attacked Vikings members, inflicting knife injuries but no fatalities. In retaliation, Vikings members struck back, killing a high-ranking Eiye official. Subsequent attacks claimed another Eiye member, known as “Oil Man,” and a third victim nearby.
The SEC then launched a retaliatory assault, sparking further violence. The escalating conflict has left multiple lives lost and many more at risk.”There was a Vikings member that was was stabbed mercilessly and they thought he was dead but he is the hospital. The challenge in this s that one of the groups does not accept apology and the other does not apologise” the source told Vanguard.
The Benin United Forum (BUF) has urged the Oba of Benin, Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Ewuare II, to condemn cult-related killings by invoking curses on those responsible, similar to his stance against human trafficking in the kingdom. In a press statement, BUF’s President and Secretary, Iyamu Osaro Culture and Osayuki-Osa Benson, appealed to Oba Ewuare II to instruct chief priests across the Benin Kingdom to place curses on cult members hiding behind violence to kill innocents in Benin City.
Specific areas of concern include Upper Sakponba Axis, Egor/Uwelu, Ugbowo/Uselu, and parts of GRA, where countless youths have fallen victim to cult violence.
Meanwhile, The Network of Civil Society Organisations (NOCSON) is calling on the police to lift the ban on vigilante groups in the state, citing the escalation of crime and cult killings. According to NOCSON President Comrade Ogbidi Emmanuel, the cult clashes stem from the state’s porous security, exacerbated by the “needless ban” on the Edo State Joint Security Network, which was previously 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.” NOCSON urges the police to investigate the cult-related killings and bring perpetrators to justice.
Source: https://www.lindaikejisblog.com/
