A renewed cult conflict in parts of Benin City, Edo State, has reportedly resulted in eight deaths, primarily in the Upper Sokponba Road area. Sources indicate the death toll may exceed 20 over the past three days since the crisis began.
The latest clash reportedly involves suspected members of the Eiye and Vikings confraternities. Although the cause of the conflict remains unknown, it is said to have intensified following an attempted resolution meeting at Tipper Garage in the Idogbo area of Upper Sokponba Road.
During this meeting, suspected Eiye members allegedly attacked Vikings members with knives, causing injuries but no fatalities. In retaliation, the Vikings allegedly regrouped and killed a prominent Eiye member, which further escalated the violence.
Subsequently, another Eiye member, known as Oilman, was killed, and attacks on residences resulted in additional fatalities. In response, the Eiye confraternity reportedly vowed to retaliate. One Vikings member was also stabbed and initially presumed dead but is currently hospitalized. The source added that attempts to mediate between the groups have failed due to mutual refusal to apologize.
Meanwhile, the Benin United Forum (BUF) has appealed to the Oba of Benin, Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Ewuare II, to impose curses on those involved in cult-related violence, akin to the steps he took to address human trafficking in the region.
The group, led by Iyamu Osaro Culture and Osayuki-Osa Benson, has urged the Oba to instruct Chief Priests across Benin Kingdom to place curses on individuals engaged in cult violence, particularly in hotspots such as Upper Sakponba, Egor/Uwelu, Ugbowo/Uselu, and parts of GRA.
Additionally, the Network of Civil Society Organisations (NOCSON) has urged the police to lift the ban on vigilante groups in Edo State, claiming that the ban has contributed to the surge in crime, including the ongoing cult clashes. The president of NOCSON, Ogbidi Emmanuel, attributed the violence to a lack of adequate security following the Inspector General of Police’s ban on the Edo State Joint Security Network, which was previously trained by the police.
The group has called on law enforcement to investigate the cult-related killings and hold the perpetrators accountable. When contacted, Police Public Relations Officer Moses Yamu stated that the police would address the killings in due time.
