3 Dead in Edo Weekend Violence Amidst Rising Cult Clashes

Our reporter

Benin City was thrown into mourning over the weekend following a series of violent attacks that left three individuals dead, as cult-related clashes escalate across Edo State.

Among the victims was a middle-aged man who had reportedly been assaulted days earlier by a man perceived to be mentally unstable near the Oredo Local Government Council office.
The victim, whose identity is yet to be disclosed, was later fatally shot near an AP petrol station, opposite the Youth Council area on Akpakpava Road.

In another incident, a popular disc jockey known as “DJ Baby” lost his life during an altercation in the same area. Eyewitnesses suggest the attack was part of an on-going turf war between rival cult groups, which has left residents gripped with fear.

In Ovia North East Local Government Area, another brutal killing was recorded in the Isihor community. A furniture maker, identified only as “Ebo,” was dragged out of his workshop by armed men and fatally attacked on Old Road, Isihor.
Witnesses described the scene as chaotic, with terrified residents fleeing while the assailants carried out the attack in broad daylight. Expended cartridges were reportedly found scattered at the site, and the victim’s body was abandoned for hours before being recovered and taken to a morgue.

Security forces have confirmed arrests in connection with the recent violence, including suspected cultists linked to the spate of attacks. The Edo State Police Command has assured the public of intensified efforts to curb the on-going unrest.

Community leaders and residents, however, are calling for urgent government intervention, including enhanced security patrols and measures to address the root causes of cultism and violence plaguing the state.

As the situation unfolds, tension remains high, with locals advised to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities to authorities.