Cult violence grips Benin, claims multiple lives

Benin City, the Edo State capital, has been thrown into turmoil following renewed cult violence that has claimed multiple lives. Reports indicate that at least eighteen people have been killed over the past few days.

The clashes, which have become seasonal, involve rival street-based confraternities. Localities such as Upper Sakponba, New Benin, Ugbowo, Ekenwan Road, and Upper Mission Extension have turned into hotspots for the bloodshed, with brazen daylight killings leaving residents in a state of fear.

The violence is not confined to Edo State. In Lagos, suspected cultists recently tracked down and killed a prominent Benin activist, highlighting the far-reaching and deadly grip of these criminal groups.

Despite public outcry, the police have yet to make any arrests in connection with the killings in Benin City or Lagos, heightening concerns over security lapses.

Authorities have attributed the surge in cult-related violence to the recently concluded Edo State Governorship Elections, where politicians reportedly armed youths as thugs, as well as to drug abuse and a lack of employment opportunities.

In Benin City, residents are calling on traditional leaders to mediate and are demanding the lifting of the ban on local vigilante groups, which many believe are crucial to restoring order. The Edo State government has condemned the violence and vowed to take decisive action to restore safety and stability.

Cult violence remains a national crisis, with cities like Lagos, Port Harcourt, and Calabar also experiencing similar clashes. The ongoing carnage has left families mourning and communities desperate for peace.