BY IDAHOSA MUSA
BENIN CITY — No fewer than seven persons have been reportedly killed between Monday and Tuesday in the Benin metropolis of Edo State following a renewed supremacy battle between suspected members of the Maphites and Black Axe cult groups.
The killings, which occurred at different locations across the city, mark a fresh escalation in cult-related violence, coming barely two months after a ceasefire prompted by a state-led crackdown.
Eyewitnesses identified the victims to include, Lucky Okotie, Yoyin, George, Lucky, and Abel.
One of the victims, George, a mechanic, was reportedly shot dead in front of his workshop along Oza Street, off Sakponba Road, on Monday evening.
Another victim, Yoyin, was allegedly gunned down the same day, around Oreoghene Street, off Siluko Road, by suspected rival cultists.
Similarly, a yet-to-be-identified individual was said to have been murdered near Wire Road at about 7:30 p.m., while another person was killed around Ewah Road on Tuesday afternoon.
A witness named Ibrahim recounted that Lucky was attacked inside his home in the presence of his (Lucky) family at 3rd East Circular Road around 6 p.m. on Monday.
Another resident, who preferred not to be named, narrated that Lucky Okotie was shot while attempting to buy roasted corn around 2nd West Circular Road area the weekend.
He reportedly died due to a delay in reaching the hospital, as the vehicle transporting him was stuck in gridlock.
The seventh victim, whose identity could not be confirmed as at press time, was reportedly killed in broad daylight on Monday around Textile Mill Road in Benin City.
This resurgence in killings follows a fragile calm that had lasted for about two months after Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, launched a decisive crackdown on cultism and it’s related activities across the state.
That effort included the demolition of buildings used as cult hideouts and a vow to prosecute all individuals involved in cult-related crimes.
However, the latest wave of violence suggests a bold challenge to the state government’s authority.
The apparent defiance by cult groups underscores the difficulty in curbing their influence, despite a series of stringent countermeasures and public awareness campaigns.
Observers noted that the government’s intensified actions, including encouraging community surveillance, fostering citizen collaboration, and promising not to relent in the fight are being tested by the resurgence of cult violence.
Authorities insist that the situation demands a multifaceted strategy that not only emphasises enforcement, but also targets the socio-economic roots of cultism through re-integration programmes and broader community engagement.
As of the time of reporting, the Edo State Police Command had not released an official statement.
The Police Public Relations Officer, Moses Yamu, did not respond to calls or messages.
However, a senior police officer, who declined to be named, confirmed that security agencies are actively pursuing those responsible for the latest clashes and are determined to bring the perpetrators to justice.
