Three persons have been reportedly killed in a renewed cult clash in Benin City, the Edo State capital. Among the dead was a man simply identified as Papa Obodo who was said to have been beheaded by suspected cultists yesterday afternoon in a clash involving members of the Aiye otherwise known as Black Axe and Eiye Confraternity group.
Trouble was said to have began at a popular drinking joint around Sakponba Road in Benin City after a disagreement broke out between members of the two rival groups last Sunday. The disagreement as gathered later, took a worrisome dimension Sunday night when some gunmen suspected to be cultists, shot an unidentified man to death in the neigbourhood.
Also yesterday, two gunmen reportedly shot at a man simply identified as Osaze at close range around Second East Circular Road within Benin metropolis.
The victim was said to have escaped from the suspected cultists grip when they stormed his home in the neigbourhood, but according to an eye witness, the gunmen thereafter gave the victim a hot chase before firing at him.
“They (gunmen) first hit Osaze with machete on the head and later shot him to death. The cultists were overheard chanting one, one score-line after killing their victim,” the witness said. Confirming the incident, the state Commissioner of Police, Chris Ezike, said the killing was as a result of the cold war between the cult groups. He said in June this year during a fight between the cult group, a member of one of the groups was shot dead, saying that yesterday’s killing was a retaliation.
