One Reverend Kingsley Ebose has cried out for the second time due to a second attack and attempt on his life, his family and that of one Mr Igbinobaro and his family whom he stated he has been aiding for more than a year now.
The cleric reported that on Saturday, March 11, 2023 at about 8.30pm, he was with one Mr Lucky Igbinobaro and his family in the church apartment, when they heard gun shots and when he looked he saw about 8 men with guns and axes putting on black, white and yellow outfits in the premises.
He stated that he knew it was the Black Axe cult group, and that they started calling out his name, demanding that the Reverend should prove that one Mr Osemwemgie and his family members whom are under his care, and that they would not leave him and his family and the people of Oke Community to rest until the family’s whereabout was known.
Narrating his ordeal to the press, the Cleric stated that the cult boys had earlier issued him with a stern warning the first time, and that this time they made it clear they were giving him a second warning, and if there would be a third time, they would not show him mercy.
“They went further to threaten to kill me and my entire family members, saying that I was proving stubborn. They apprehended and shot Mr Collins Igbinobaro in the leg as a warning note. The injured man is currently receiving treatment at the hospital, while the Reverend stated he and his family manged to escape with the rest of Mr Lucky igbinobaro’s family,” he added.
Before this recent attack, the Reverend stated that two months ago on January 2, 2023 at about 6pm to be precise, he had pleaded with the Edo state government and the Nigerian Police Force to come to the rescue of his family as his private residence was among several homes attacked by the invading cult group, popularly known as ‘Black Axe,’ as they tore people’s homes apart, searching for their prey.
According to reports by residents, in the fracas that ensued two young men were shot dead while three others who sustained gunshot injuries were receiving treatment in the hospital.
Speaking to the Press in Benin City at the weekend, Rev. Kingsley stated that the cult group were about six persons in number and that they came with sophisticated weapons, including AK 47 riffles and axes, and that they came in a black Mercedes Benz car. He stated that he had to address the press because of “the fear of the unknown” especially as many residents had fled their homes for fear of a repeat action by the cult groups after the first attack two months ago.
He noted that during the last attack, the cult boys shot sporadically in the air as they stormed his residence, demanding to see one Mr Lucky Igbinobaro and his family who he aided for the past one year now.
He said the cult group had mandated him to provide either Mr Lucky Igbinobaro or his family because they would know the whereabouts of their son.
The Reverend also stated that the cult group boasted that they do not search and stop, and that they would find their target, even if it took decades, hence why he continued to ask for intervention.
According to the clergy, the cult group said they have also been looking for one Mr Osemwemgie Bethelite for the past 6 years and that they will not rest until they found and killed him.
“They said Mr Osemwemgie is responsible for the clash between them and another cult group popularly known as Vikings (Arobaga), and that for exposing the video of the death of his late brother who was murdered by this cult group which led to the loss of some of their members to the rival group”, the clergy said.
He noted that the group also vowed that he will not go unpunished, that he must pay for his action.
He added “After a serious search around my house, they couldn’t find Mr Lucky Igbinobaro and his family, who unfortunately do not live with me in my personal apartment, unknown to this cult group, they therefore told me to pass the message to the family, that they will find them and if they could not provide their son, Mr Osemwemgie, they will all be killed.”
Rev. Kingsley however said that the cult group did not harm him, but that they burnt down his house, and threatened to return if they could not locate the where about of the said Mr Lucky and his family.
Reporting the case at the State Police Command Headquarters in Benin City on January 3, 2023, Rev. Kingsley Ebose called out to the government to come to his aid because his life was under threat.
The Cleric stated he had to cry out once again to the Edo State Government and the Nigeria Police Force to come to his rescue.
