By LUCKY EFESE
BENIN CITY: The bloody clash between two rival cult groups has been confirmed by the Edo State Police Command, stating that two lives were lost through exchange of fire arms, while others ran away with bullet wounds, but allegedly hiding to avoid police arrest.
The clash which seemed a reawakening of rivalry battle is between the Eiye Confraternity and the Neo Black Movement of Africa International, popularly called the “Black Axe”. The present development have been attributed to a reprisal attack following incessant clashes characterizing the rivalry, especially with those in the locality, Ihinmwinrin Quarters in Ikpoba Okha Local Government Area where social interaction in the area is along cult divide.
Investigations however revealed that following threats and verbal attacks by parties, unsuspected hoodlums attacked a resident at Ogiemwenken Street, indeed of no fixed address in the obsecure locality. It was targeted at one Victor Enobakhare their main target, where the presence of his uncle, Arthur Enobakhare and a family friend, Osazuwa, were noticed.
Whispers therefore conveyed that their presence were symbolic of regular meetings of the “Black Axe”, thus resulted an unprovoked attack at the said house, killing Mr. Arthur Enobakhare. Detailed security reports showed that the visiting Osazuwa who escaped from the seen through the whiskers was actually killed along First East Circular Road, Benin City, allegedly by cultist the same day.
A very reliable anonymous source who wouldn’t want his identity revealed for fear of victimization, also revealed to our correspondent that the opposition cult group have vowed to get Victor Enobakhare particularly, dead or alive for his leadership role in the crisis.
However, a contact with the functioning Police Public Relations officer, Inspector Indiabee Omozele stated that though investigation was ongoing at the Anti-Cult and Related Offences Unit of the Police Command but stated that leaders of the cult units will be brought to book.
He said that the state Command have also declared wanted, Victor Enobakhare; Isehienrhen Isaac of the Neo Movement, Anderson Imade and Idemudia S. of the Eiye Confraternity for their relative roles in their cult group and disturbance of public peace which led to the death of at last two persons. The police concluded by appealing to the public for useful information that can lead to arrest of those declared wanted.
The functioning PPRO, concluded by saying that a handsome reward of the sum of N5m has been placed on any successful informant that can lead to apprehension of the fleeing suspects.
