At least 10 people have reportedly been killed in the last five days following a renewed cult clash in Edo State.
The violence, which has gripped the Upper Sakponba area in Ikpoba Okha Local Government Area, is believed to be linked to ongoing hostilities between rival cult groups Eiye and the Vikings confraternity.
As of Tuesday, October 29, 2024, no fewer than eight fatalities had already been recorded in the area, with the death toll rising as clashes intensified.
Local sources report that the resurgence of cult-related violence has left residents in fear, with calls growing for increased security intervention. The death toll from the clashes climbed on Wednesday, April 9, 2025, as a young man was shot dead at Nomayo Bus Stop around 6:00 p.m. An eyewitness, Oyenmwense Osemwegie Kelvin, reported that the victim was approached by his attackers while attempting to make a purchase at a nearby shop in the neighborhood.
The assailants, believed to be linked to the ongoing cult violence, fled the scene immediately after the shooting. “That was when people began to run for their lives. Look at him there,” he said as he pointed to the corpse about 100 meters away from the scene, where he was in a pool of blood with his stomach opened by bullets.
He works as a manager in a filling station before the Aifuwa bus stop and also operates a shop where he sells lubricants close to the filling station. His killers almost dismembered his corpse with cutlass and axe.
Since giving his testimony on the tragic incident of Wednesday, April 9, 2025, Oyenmwense’s life has been under threat, with multiple cult groups reportedly targeting him. Sources reveal that the assailants have visited his home, searching for him, and have vowed to harm him for his role as the key eyewitness in the case.
Oyenmwense is the only person who can provide a full account of the events that led to the death of the young man that day.
As a result of these threats, Oyenmwense has gone into hiding and has been unreachable by both the media and the Nigeria Police. When contacted, Moses Yamu, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Edo State Police Command, confirmed only two fatalities related to the incident. “I know about the two recent deaths as you’ve mentioned. That’s all I can confirm,” he said.
