Cult escape turns tragic as father loses son in christmas eve attack

A 35-year-old Nigerian father, Marcellus Oshiokpekhai Ekhayeme, has narrated his ordeal after escaping from the Supreme Vikings Confraternity, also known as the Norsemen, following a violent ambush that claimed the life of his five-year-old son.

Ekhayeme, a graduate of the Federal Polytechnic Auchi in Edo State, said he was lured into joining the cult group in October 2023 under the promise of securing employment to support his struggling family.

According to him, a friend convinced him that joining what was described as a “society” was necessary to obtain a job opportunity.

He later discovered he had been recruited into a cult group.

“I had no idea what I was getting into,” he recounted, explaining that tensions soon escalated between the Supreme Vikings and a rival group, the Black Axe confraternity.

Trouble reportedly began when Ekhayeme refused to take part in violent activities due to his Christian beliefs, a decision that allegedly made him a target within the group.

The situation turned tragic on Christmas Eve 2023 when suspected cult members attacked him and his family while they were returning from church. During the assault, his five-year-old son was killed, forcing the family to flee their community for safety.

Seeking refuge, Ekhayeme approached the Rev. Father of Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Afashio Uzairue, who helped him formally renounce cult membership and provided temporary shelter for the family.

However, continued threats reportedly forced the priest to relocate them to another safe location.

While Ekhayeme and his wife continue to search for permanent protection, their daughter remains under the church’s care in Nigeria.

“Protection is what we seek,” Ekhayeme said, expressing gratitude to the church authorities for assisting his family during the crisis.

The incident underscores ongoing concerns over cult-related violence in parts of Nigeria and highlights the risks faced by individuals drawn into such groups under false promises.