A fresh wave of cult-related violence has erupted in Edo State, claiming at least 10 lives in the past five days and heightening fears among residents of Upper Sakponba in Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area.
The latest surge in bloodshed is attributed to renewed hostilities between the Eiye and Vikings confraternities, long-time rival cult groups notorious for violent confrontations in the state.
According to local sources, the situation has become increasingly tense, with the death toll steadily rising since last week.
One of the most harrowing incidents occurred on Wednesday, April 9, 2025, when a young man, identified as Ibe Nwachukwu, a manager at a nearby filling station and lubricant shop owner was gunned down in broad daylight at Nomayo Bus Stop.
Eyewitnesses said the victim was attacked while attempting to make a purchase at a roadside shop.
He was left in a pool of blood, his body mutilated with cutlasses and axes after being riddled with bullets.
Oyenmwense Osemwengie Kelvin, a welder and iron bender/fabricator’s who witnessed the brutal killing, has since become a marked man. His decision to speak out about the incident has reportedly placed his life in grave danger.
Multiple sources confirm that cultists linked to the ongoing violence are actively searching for him, fearing that he might expose their identities or provide critical information to the police that could lead to arrests.
Oyenmwense, provided the only detailed account of the killing, which has made him a crucial witness in the unfolding case. In the days following his statement, his home has been visited by suspected cult members, and he has received direct threats to his life.
Fearing for his safety, Oyenmwense has since gone into hiding and remains unreachable by both law enforcement and the media. His absence has hampered investigations, and residents believe that the threat to his life is part of a broader attempt to silence witnesses and protect those behind the violence.
When contacted for comment, Edo State Police Command spokesperson, Moses Yamu, downplayed the scale of the bloodshed. “I know about the two recent deaths as you’ve mentioned. That’s all I can confirm,” he said, despite growing reports from locals pointing to a significantly higher death toll.
The wave of killings and threats to key witnesses like Oyenmwense has underscored the urgent need for security reinforcement and witness protection measures in the state, as cult violence once again pushes communities to the brink.
