26th August, 2022
By Jethro Ibileke
A recent cult rivalry between Aiye and Eiye confraternities in Benin City, Edo State capital, has resulted in the death of two members of the warring factions in the last 72 hours.
One of the victims, 40-year-old Taiwo Edigie, was reportedly killed Thursday, 25 August, 2022, at Oho Street, in Uselu axis of the town.
The head of the victim was severed and dropped at a different location from where the body was found by the police.
The other victim whose identity was yet to be verified as at the time of filing this report, was killed along Imuetiyan Street, off Ojo Road, Ugbowo, also in connection to the ongoing cult fight.
It was, however, independently gathered that another victim was also killed on Wednesday morning, between 6.00am and 6.30 am, along Ihiae Street, Uselu.
The victim, who was said to be a very popular member of the local vigilante group, was reportedly strangled to death, as several bullets fired at him failed to penetrate him.
Irked by the inter cult rival killings, the State Police Command responded with massive raids and arrests of cultists suspected to be associated with the crime.
A statement released on Friday morning by the Command’s deputy spokesperson, ASP Jennifer Iwegbu, disclosed that a total of 30 suspects were arrested in the intensive raids.
“Profiling is still ongoing and anyone found culpable or related to any of the cult rivalry killings would be arraigned in court as soon as profiling is concluded,” the statement said.
Meanwhile, the State Commissioner of Police, CP Abutu Yaro, who commiserating with the bereaved families, specifically warned members of Eiye and Aiye Cult groups to either renege their violent rivalry that led to avoidable deaths of their members, or be ready for more arrest and prosecution in the days ahead.
He, however, assured the good people of Edo State of the Command’s unrelenting efforts in ensuring that there is no hiding place for criminals.