Initiation turns fatal as man dies in Aye Confraternity ritual

By Jethro Ibileke

A young man identified simply as Prosper has died during an alleged cult initiation ritual in Auchi, Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo State.

The incident reportedly occurred over the weekend while Prosper was undergoing initiation into the Aye confraternity, a notorious cult group operating in the region.

Sources say his death followed intense physical “drills” often associated with initiation rites.

According to reports, Prosper had voluntarily expressed interest in joining the group and approached a family member, one Cosmos, said to be a senior member of the confraternity.

Cosmos, who did not attend the initiation himself, allegedly directed other members to take Prosper to the designated location.

However, the initiation process took a tragic turn when Prosper reportedly lost consciousness. Cult members later informed Cosmos that he had fainted, possibly due to a hard drug he consumed before the ritual began.

Efforts to revive him failed, and he was rushed to a hospital in Jattu, where he was pronounced dead.

The Edo State Police Command, through its spokesman CSP Moses Yamu, confirmed the incident on Monday.

Yamu stated that one suspect has been arrested in connection with the death, while investigations are ongoing.

“The deceased slumped during the initiation process and was taken to a nearby hospital where he was confirmed dead,” CSP Yamu said.

Authorities have promised a thorough investigation, as concerns mount over the resurgence of cult-related violence and fatalities in Edo communities.