A long-running family dispute over a traditional religious position has taken a deadly turn in Benin City, with Sylvester Evbaruese allegedly killed after armed men arrived at the family home looking for his elder brother, Active Atrix Evbaruese.

The account, given by Active’s mother, Stella Evbaruese, centres on her son’s refusal to succeed his late father as the family’s traditional Ohen or chief priest, because of his Christian faith.

According to Stella, Active was his father’s first son and was traditionally expected to inherit the position. She said the role is hereditary and ordinarily passes from the father to his first son.

However, Active allegedly rejected the position because he considered some of its traditional responsibilities, including animal sacrifices at shrines to appease traditional deities, incompatible with his Christian beliefs.

His mother said Active did not want to live the life his father had lived or pass the same responsibilities on to his own children in the future.

Following his father’s death, Active’s paternal uncles, identified as Joe and Peter, allegedly insisted that he must accept the position and be installed as the next chief priest.

Despite repeated demands and warnings of serious consequences, Stella said her son remained firm in his refusal.

According to her account, Active was subsequently attacked and beaten at his home and other locations in Benin City, forcing him to flee for his safety.

Attack at Ekosodin Shop

The most serious attack on Active before the latest incident allegedly occurred in 2022, when a group of armed cult group (Eiye Confraternity) stormed the area around his shop in Ekosodin.

Stella said the men were carrying cutlasses, battle axes and shotguns and fired shots into the air, sending people running for safety.

The attackers allegedly descended on Active outside his shop and severely beat him before leaving the area.

Other shop owners reportedly came to his assistance after the attackers departed and took him to a nearby pharmacy, where he received treatment for his injuries.

Stella alleged that Joe and Peter continued to threaten her son, insisting that he either return home to assume his late father’s position or remain in hiding and never come back.

According to her, they maintained that Active’s younger brother could not inherit the position while the first son was still alive.

She alleged that this led to threats against Active’s life, with the family members allegedly saying he would have to die before another person could be installed.

Mother Also Allegedly Threatened

Stella further alleged that the two men sought assistance from members of a confraternity group that she described as being associated with violence and killings in Benin City.

She said the threats forced Active to remain in hiding because he feared for his life.

His mother, who continued to live in the family home, was also allegedly threatened and pressured to disclose her son’s whereabouts.

According to her account, she was warned that she could be killed if she refused to reveal where Active was staying.

Brother Killed After Armed Men Arrive

The dispute took a tragic turn on June 9, 2026, when armed men reportedly arrived at the Evbaruese family home claiming to be acting on the instructions of the traditional council.

According to Stella’s account, the men were searching for Active after receiving information that he might be in the area.

Active’s brother, Sylvester Evbaruese, reportedly told them that Active was not at home.

The men allegedly refused to believe him and attempted to force their way into the house.

When Sylvester tried to prevent them from entering, he was allegedly killed.

Stella said the attackers reportedly told the family that Sylvester’s death was a warning to Active and that Active would also be killed if he returned because of his refusal to comply with the traditional requirements.

The circumstances surrounding Sylvester’s death and the identities and motives of those responsible for the death of the young man is undergoing police investigation by the State police Command