25th December, 2014
Jethro Ibileke/Benin
Thirteen persons, including a 33-year-old father of three, have been reportedly killed in renewed violent rivalry between members of Eiye (Bird) and Aiye (Black Axe) confraternity cult groups in Benin City, Edo State.
The late father identified as Onosaze A Inegbedion, was said to have been felled around Upper Sokponba area of the city.
The cult war which has ragged for three weeks, worsened early this week following the reported killing of seven persons in the different parts of the metropolis by unknown gunmen.
It was gathered that the renewed war began following a disagreement among some motor park touts around New Benin market.
A source at New Benin area who confided in PM News, said, “I think what we are witnessing now is a supremacy battle between these elements, and you know because most of this people belong to rival cult groups; they tend to always want to lord over each other.”
The State Police Command spokesman, DSP Joseph Edoghiawerhie, who confirmed the killings, however remained silent on whether it was cult-related, but noted that the police was on top of the situation.
“We have sent a strong message to the perpetrators to desist from such inhuman acts because our men are fully on ground. They cannot come and rubbish the peaceful coexistence that the people of the state have been enjoying all through the year,” Edoghiawerhie said.