Oba of Benin urged to invoke curses as cult violence increases in Edo

A group called the Benin United Forum has called on Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Ewuare II, the Oba of Benin, to curse those responsible for cult-related killings, just as he did when human trafficking took on an embarrassing dimension in the kingdom, in response to the recent spate of cult-related killings in Edo State.

Also, 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 eight people have been killed.

The latest clash is said to be between the Eiye and Vikings confraternity.

Though the cause of the clashes is not yet known, it was 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 Tipper Garage in the Idogbo area of Upper Sokponba 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, “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, 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 by Benin United Forum signed by the President and Secretary of the group, Iyamu Culture, and Osayuki-Osa Benson, on Tuesday, 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 called on the police to lift the ban on vigilante groups in the state to help combat the menace of cult groups.

A statement by the president of the organisation, Ogbidi Emmanuel said the cult clash is 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 have since brought about 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 has 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 the pipeline, I have the picture on my phone. As of Tuesday, I don’t have any information that anything has happened,” he added.

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