Edo Cult War Claims Four

Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City

Four persons lost their lives following a renewed cult war between rival groups in Auchi Polytechnic, Auchi, the Administrative Headquarters of Etsako West Local Area of Edo.

It was gathered that the victims were killed in different locations in a clash between the Black Axe and Supreme Vikings confraternities.

It was further learnt that the incident that led to cult killings occurred on Saturday, June 24 when a National Youth Service Corps member alleged to be a member of the Black Axe confraternity was shot by the rival Supreme Vikings Confraternity and was rushed to the hospital for treatment.

Though the victim had since been discharged, but in a reprisal attack, a member of Vikings group was reportedly killed around Mr. Biggs in Jattu, Auchi. 

Three other victims were said to have been shot dead around Mechanic Site, Vacchi and Winners Road, all in Auchi.

There was a report of some lecturers of the Federal Polytechnic, Auchi, alleged to have been involved in cultism because they abandoned invigilation of SPAT examinations.

In a swift response, however, the Assistant Public Relations Officer of the institution, Mrs. Adebola Ogunboyowa, debunked the allegations maintaining that the school ended its SPAT examinations on Friday as students are expected to vacate on Saturday.

She said: “The allegation is not true as whatever happened concerning cult clash occurred outside and had nothing to do with the polytechnic community.

“As I speak to you right now, I am in school and nothing is happening within the polytechnic community.

“Whatever is happening, happened outside the polytechnic community because we are surrounded by host communities, and we have no power over it,” she said.

Attempts to get response from the Edo State Police Command failed as several calls put across to the Command’s spokesman, Chidi Nwanbuzor, were not unanswered.