Man, family flee multiple attacks after brother’s murder linked to rival cult groups

A man from Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria, has recounted the terrifying experiences he and his family endured after his brother, Francis Umeh, was murdered by the Eiye confraternity group in December 2022. The murder, allegedly due to Francis’ involvement with the rival Aiye confraternity, marked the beginning of a series of violent attacks on his family.

The man, whose identity remains undisclosed, shared that the shock of his brother’s death was compounded by the revelation that Francis had joined the Aiye confraternity during his time at Moshood Abiola Polytechnic. He learned of his brother’s affiliation through a friend, Efem, who also hinted that he himself might have been involved with the group.

In the wake of Francis’ murder, the Eiye confraternity launched a series of retaliatory attacks on the family. In February 2023, the violence escalated with the killing of his uncle, Mr. Adedokun Mathew, as he was returning home from work. Soon after, the family began receiving anonymous threats via phone and text messages, with individuals claiming to be members of the Eiye group. The threats were explicit, declaring that the family was marked, and warning the man that he would be next.

The situation worsened when, in February 2023, a group of armed assailants arrived at the family’s home, shouting the man’s name and causing him to flee. In a desperate bid to evade the attackers, he jumped over a fence into a neighbour’s yard, where he hid until the immediate threat passed.

In July 2023, fearing for their lives, the family fled to Ibadan, Oyo State, seeking refuge at a friend’s house. However, their troubles followed them, and shortly after their arrival, the family’s new home was broken into, with property damaged and the name “Paul” – the man’s name – shouted during the attack. The stress of the incident caused his wife to lose consciousness, and a hospital visit revealed that she was pregnant. She was kept under observation for two days.

Unable to find safety in Ibadan, the family relocated to Lagos later that month, where the man feared they were being followed by unknown individuals. His suspicions were confirmed when he noticed men tailing him through the streets of the city. He took evasive action, including using a motorcycle taxi to avoid detection. His wife and child were again forced to hide at a neighbour’s house. Soon after, their Lagos apartment was broken into, leaving the family shaken.

The family’s flight continued as they sought refuge in Abuja. Once again, their troubles resurfaced, with members of both the Eiye and Aiye confraternities visible in the streets and engaging in violent confrontations. One day, while at a market, the man overheard the “secret cult language,” which further fueled his fears. On returning to their apartment, he found men lingering outside, prompting the family to seek shelter in a local church.

Their safety continued to be threatened when the housing agent contacted the man, informing him that the door to their apartment had been broken down. Neighbours reported seeing armed men – allegedly members of the Eiye confraternity – searching for someone. Despite their best efforts to remain undetected, the family had been located once more.

The man suspects that the confraternity’s ability to track their movements may be due to their extensive network and connections, as they had managed to find the family at each of their new locations.

As of now, the family remains in fear for their lives, continuously moving to avoid further attacks. The traumatic experiences have left them in a state of constant worry, with the man voicing his belief that the power and reach of cult groups in Nigeria pose significant challenges to the safety of individuals and families.