The Edo State Police Command has confirmed the recent secret cult fighting and the killings in the state capital, Benin City, that took the lives of innocent citizens particularly that of Mr Hillary Nosa Odia, a staff of Independent Television and Radio, Benin City.
The Command in a statement signed by it's spokesperson SP Chidi Nwanbuzor, and made available to journalists on Tuesday in Benin, said the police is aware but didn't give actual number of casualties in the clash but some suspects have been arrested in connection to the killings, he added that the state command is "sincerely and vigorously fighting this crime and wishes to put it to an end for the state to be peaceful for all. Its efforts in fighting against secret cult members or to stop the killings are shown in the loss of one of its personnel during operation in the Ugbowo axis on the 24th of December, 2023.
"A sizeable number of arrests of the secret cult members of various cult groups have been made in different locations in the state and will soon be charged to court for prosecution.".
Meanwhile there are reports that attacks between deadly Rivalry cult groups in Benin City, Edo State Capital, have left about 13 unconfirmed people dead and climbing between Sunday, the eve of Christmas, and Tuesday.
The renewed cult-related clash is said to be between Black Axe and Eiye Confraternities, after a young man was seen in a video, said to be a member of the Eiye Confraternity making a mockery of the opposite group..
In an earlier report that the mockery led to adventurous revenge leading to the death of several persons including a staff of the Independent Television and Radio, Hillary Odia professionally addressed as Chameleon in his famed program, "Rush Hour" who was reportedly shot dead while having fun at a relaxation spot in St Savior Road, near upper sakpoba.
It was learned that on launching an attack, four persons who were members of the Eiye Confraternity were killed which was said to have led to reinforcement by the beleaguered cult group.
It was gathered that the earlier crisis was between the Maphite Confraternity and Aiye Black Axe, which later became a horrible killing spree between Eiye and Aiye.
According to the source, a member of a maphite Confraternity had a day to Christmas Eve allegedly killed a member of Aiye also known as Black Axe Confraternity behind the popular Evbareke Spare parts in the Textile mill axis.
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It was disclosed that in avenging the killing of its member, Aiye went after Eiye in what the source claimed was wrongly targeted at the Eiye where four members were killed.
The source said, one Courage Idehen, was downed at Uselu quarters, one at Universal Medical stores Road, another Ufoma at Oluku axis, and a member at Textile Mill Road axis.
This, however, the source claimed led to Eiye declaring war on Aiye for killing four of its members at the instance of the maphite who was reported to have started the heinous killings.
First, a man who is said to be a backup musician to a local artist alleged to be a member of the Aiye Confraternity was hacked to death in front of his mother by Ediaken Primary School Road to herald the revenge mission by Eiye after four of its members were reportedly killed, according to the source.
Three members of the Aiye, the source said, were also killed at Siloko Road at various locations and one was killed at Circular Road all in Benin Metropolis.
When quizzed further, the source said other victims reportedly killed were innocent, adding that at the last count, 13 people had died as a result of the fiercely combative cult clash.In view of the above.
Edo police command PRO in his statement on Tuesday said the CP Mohammed Adamu Dankwara, FBDFM, FCIMN, the Commissioner of Police Edo State, was appealing to the good people of Edo State to remain calm and go about with their Christmas celebration. "He reiterates the command's commitments and readiness of officers and men to ensure the safety of the lives and property of the citizenry and residents of Edo State during this yuletide period.
"He, however, solicites the citizens' participation in giving out information to the Police as modern and civilised Policing entails citizenship and community policing. The statement said.
