Cult clash claims lives in Benin
Cult clash claims lives in Benin
By Osei Peters
Several youths have been killed in a
renewed cult fracas that engulfed Benin City, four
days ago.
The Spokesman, Edo Police Command DSP Stephen
Onwocha said that the command has made several
arrests and recovered weapons from the warring
cult groups.
DSP Onwocha stated further that the police are
doing everything to stop the killings.
“We are doing everything to stem the tide of killing
and ensure safety of lives and property”. He
maintained.
The latest victims were shot dead at victory street
and new Lagos road, by new Benin area, yesterday
morning.
He was shot on his head inside his barbing saloon.
Eyewitness said three men walked into thee saloon
and opened fire on him.
The barber identified as Patrick was decribed as
jovial and dedicated to his job.
It was also learnt that the rampaging youths had
hacked down some of their victims while others
were shot dead as few who have graciously
survived the attacks are receiving medical attention
at different hospitals in Benin.
Two unconfirmed versions of stories have been
given as reasons for the on-going crisis.
The first version alleged that it was an unequare
formula used in sharing the money given to some
cult groups by a politcal party to help prosecute the
recent general elections in Edo State.
Another version maintained that the fight is purely
that of supremacy and vengence as a quarrel that
ensued between two members of different cult
groups at a viewing centre, led to the killing of one
of them, a day after.
It was further gathered that the death of the boy
identified simply as Winger, angered his friends who
swiftly mobilized their hitmen and commenced a
vengeance manhunt for their rivals.
It will be recalled that cult-related killing is a
recurrence incidence in Benin City
Meanwhile, residence of the City have expressed
fear over possible spill over of the crisis to nearby
campuses and university communities in the state.
The called on security agents and other relevance
bodies in the state to intervene with a view to
resolving the fracas.
Newswebexpress
