A young lady, seemingly in her late teens, Ms. Joy Osiobe has reportedly gone into hiding to escape harm from suspected daredevil cultists operating in Benin City and environs, following several threats against her life.
The vengeful cultists, it was gathered, are targeting Ms. Osiobe in retaliation for a deadly assault allegedly carried out by a group led by her elder brother, Bright Osiobe, on a rival cult. The violent incident sparked a reprisal attack on their family home in Iguye village, Ovia North East Local Government Area of Edo State, forcing the household to flee for safety.
Bright Osiobe, whose reckless lifestyle has reportedly endangered his entire family, is said to have clashed violently with members of rival cult groups. With tensions escalating, the opposing cultists now appear determined to exact revenge not only on Bright but also on those close to him.
In August 2016, the suspected cultists, armed with guns, battle axes, and a substance suspected to be raw acid stormed the family compound in a gestapo-style operation. They fired sporadically, causing panic and chaos. Though many escaped, Bright was reportedly shot in the leg.
According to eyewitnesses, one Mrs Gloria Idemudia had just left the premises moments before the attack. She was later warned not to return, as the assailants had vowed to track down and eliminate anyone linked to Bright, including his sister Joy.
“A close friend who witnessed the incident called Joy Osiobe, warning her not to come home. Six armed men belonging to a deadly cult group had invaded their house, and they were looking for her,” said a neighbour who asked to remain anonymous. “She was told that the cultists blamed her brother and his associates for the death of one of their members and are now out for revenge.”
