20 killed in renewed Benin Citycult war.

BENIN CITY—NO fewer than 20 persons have
been killed in the past four days in different
parts of Benin City, following a renewed cult
war between suspected members of Eiye
Confraternity and Black Axe.
Over 10 persons were said to have been
arrested by the Edo State Police Command in
connection with the incident.
It was gathered that some of the leaders of
the groups are on the run following the
collaboration of security agencies with the
state government to hunt for the suspects.
Reportnaija was informed that the latest face-
off was triggered last Thursday when
members of one of the groups went to the
home of one of the suspects currently on the
run, whose father was said to belong to one of
the warring groups to resolve some money
related issues.
It was learnt that while they were settling the
issue, the suspect went upstairs to fetch a
pump action gun and shot a member of the
rival cult group on the leg.
The victim was rushed to the hospital by his
colleagues while the suspect fled.
Consequently, colleagues of the victim
mobilised for reprisal attacks, visiting the
homes of members of the rival group.
It was learnt that the attack led to the killing
of a colleague of the suspect who started the
shooting at New Benin. As expected, the cult
war escalated. There were killings in Idu
Owena, after Ugbowo, Isihor, Ugbiyoko,
Textile Mill Road, New Benin and Igbesanwa.
Reportnaija was reliably informed that no fewer
than 20 persons have been killed so far. As a
result, night life in Benin City has been
affected as people no longer relax in bars in
the evenings due to fear of being attacked by
the rampaging cultists.
Oshiomhole summons security meeting
Worried by the development, it was learnt
that Governor Adams Oshiomhole convened
an emergency security meeting last Friday,
asking security operatives to fish out the
killers. Reportnaija learnt that about 10 persons
have been arrested so far while efforts were
on towards finding a peaceful resolution to
the crisis.
The Edo State Police Commissioner, Mr
Folounsho Adebanjo, who could not confirm
the casualty figure, described the killings as
unacceptable and vowed that the police
would deal with the situation.
According to him, "we are not relaxing at all.
We are in search of the leaders behind this.
Some persons have been arrested while some
are on the run. The killings will stop because
our officers are all on the alert now. I can
assure you that anybody arrested will be dealt
with very seriously.
"All security agencies in the state are
concerned. The governor is equally
concerned, residents of the state are
concerned. So we will not relent until we stop
this madness. It is very sad that people no
longer value human lives."
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