Suspected cultists kill four in Edo

Four persons have been reportedly killed during a clash between two rival cult groups in Benin, the Edo State capital.

There have been reported cases of renewed cult wars between members of the Black Axe and Eiye Confraternity, which had led to the arrest of many suspected cultists by the state police command.

It was gathered that the latest incident occurred on Sunday evening after an argument ensued between two persons belonging to different cult groups at a popular bar along Sakponba Road in Benin, the state capital.

One of them, suspected to be a member of the Black Axe, was said to have been injured during an altercation and was later rushed to a hospital.

Irked by the development and apparently out on a revenge mission, his friends were said to have attacked and killed three members of an opposition group in different locations within the area.

It was learnt that one of the victims, simply identified as Lawal, was shot dead at Ezoba, along Sokponba Road.

His assailants were said to have earlier attacked his unnamed younger brother, leaving him with severe machete cuts.

The Police Public Relations Officer, Osifo Abiodun, confirmed the attack.

He, however, said that the command had yet to ascertain the number of casualties from the clash.

“We did our intervention by deploying our men in the area; we are on a manhunt for those fingered.

“We are very sure that before the end of tomorrow (Tuesday) we will be able to arrest those that have been fingered in the action,” Abiodun added.