Fear has gripped parts of Benin City and Lagos following reports that Idugboe Bright Nogheghase has gone into hiding after suspected members of the Aye (Black Axe) confraternity allegedly murdered his younger brother in a violent reprisal attack.

Idugboe Bright Nogheghase, born on May 10, 2004, reportedly fled for his life after cultists stormed a location in Lagos where he and his brother, Idugboe Jerry, were said to be hiding. Bright was not at home during the attack, but his younger brother was allegedly killed in what sources described as a warning message.

According to a police report, Bright had earlier raised alarm over persistent threats from his landlord in Benin City, Edo State, whom he identified as a leader of the Aiye confraternity. He alleged that shortly after renting and moving into the apartment, he began receiving pressure to join the cult group.

Bright reportedly told the police that the landlord insisted he must be initiated to prevent him from exposing the group’s activities, which he claimed were being carried out within the premises. Despite repeated threats to his life, Bright refused to join the cult.

The situation escalated when Bright informed his uncle about the threats, prompting the matter to be reported to the Edo State Government. Security sources said the report triggered swift action by the Edo State Police Command.

Following intelligence briefings, police arrested eight suspected cult members linked to the group and demolished the building allegedly used as a base for their operations, in line with the state government’s anti-cultism policy.

However, a source who spoke on condition of anonymity claimed the crackdown may have further endangered Bright’s life, noting that the cult group allegedly has extensive networks across Nigeria and views him as the whistleblower responsible for their arrest and the demolition of their base.

It was gathered that suspected Black Axe members later tracked the brothers to Lagos, where they allegedly attacked the house they were hiding in and killed Idugboe Jerry in Bright’s absence, deepening fears of a sustained manhunt.

Sources said the cultists’ demands were blunt: Bright must either submit to joining the confraternity or rebuild the demolished house, failure of which, they reportedly vowed, would result in his death.

As of the time of filing this report, Idugboe Bright Nogheghase remains in hiding, while security agencies are yet to issue an official statement on the killing. Residents and human rights advocates are calling for urgent protection for Bright and intensified efforts to dismantle cult networks operating across the country.