The Edo State Police Command in April declared Mr Ese Favour Osagiede missing following a deadly ambush in February 2025 that left his friend, Mr Fortune, shot dead in Edo State amid an alleged cult-related crisis.

Police sources confirmed that the incident occurred on April 20 when masked gunmen attacked Osagiede and his friend at close range. Fortune was fatally shot during the assault, while Osagiede reportedly escaped with his life under unclear circumstances. Since the attack, his whereabouts have remained unknown.

According to information gathered, Osagiede had earlier reported receiving life-threatening messages from individuals allegedly linked to the notorious Black Axe confraternity, also known as Aye. The group reportedly warned him to join their ranks or face death.

The Black Axe confraternity has long been associated with violent cult activities in parts of southern Nigeria, particularly Edo State, where rival cult clashes have claimed dozens of lives in recent years.

Sources disclosed that prior to the fatal ambush, Osagiede had lodged a complaint with the police, stating that masked men had been trailing and threatening him. However, investigators reportedly faced difficulty identifying the suspects because they wore masks during the attack, making visual identification nearly impossible.

Police authorities, in an earlier report aired on ITV in Benin, confirmed that more than 20 persons had been killed in ongoing clashes between rival cult groups, including factions known locally as Aye and Maphite. The violence has triggered intensified security operations across Edo State.

Family sources allege that Osagiede’s ordeal worsened after he formally reported the threats. Anonymous letters reportedly followed him from one location to another, warning that he had “nowhere to hide” and threatening imminent execution.

It was further gathered that Osagiede struggled to receive community support due to allegations surrounding his private life. Community members allegedly distanced themselves from him over claims of same-sex relationships, a sensitive issue in Nigeria, where same-sex relationships are criminalised under national law.

In June, sources claim Osagiede was allegedly assaulted again in Lagos after relocating in search of safety. He reportedly sustained a dislocated leg following another attack by unidentified men. He was later said to have regained consciousness in a hospital, brought in by a man identified simply as Mr Samuel.

Police authorities maintain that investigations are ongoing but admit that tracking masked assailants without concrete identification remains a significant operational challenge.

Security analysts say the case reflects the broader problem of cult-related violence in Edo State, where criminal confraternities exploit fear, secrecy, and local networks to evade detection.