Eben Enasco Reporting.
Attacks between deadly Rivalry cult groups in Benin City, Edo State Capital, have left about 13 unconfirmed people dead and climbing between Sunday, the eve of Christmas, and Tuesday.
The renewed cult-related clash is said to be between Aiye, fondly called Black Axe, and Eiye Confraternities, after a young man was seen in a video, said to be a member of the Eiye Confraternity making a mockery of the opposite group.
The attacks continuing to the morning of December 25 forced residents, including children, to flee as commercial activities were at a low ebb amid worsening youth restiveness during the festive Yuletide period.
A reliable source who disclosed this to Inquest News said the mockery led to adventurous revenge leading to the death of several persons including a staff of the Independent Television and Radio, Hillary Odia professionally addressed as Chameleon in his famed program, “Rush Hour” who was reportedly shot dead while having fun at a relaxation spot in St Savior Road, near upper sakpoba.
Although no statement has been released by the police authority confirming the figures reportedly counted, eyewitnesses have stated that the fierce killings may not end any time soon if the state government fails to intervene.
It was learned that on launching an attack, four persons were killed at a go who were members of the Eiye Confraternity which was said to have led to reinforcement by the beleaguered cult group
It was gathered that the earlier crisis was between the Maphite Confraternity and Aiye Black Axe, which later became a horrible killing spree between Eiye and Aiye.
According to the source, a member of a maphite Confraternity had a day to Christmas Eve allegedly killed a member of Aiye also known as Black Axe Confraternity behind the popular Evbareke Spare parts in the Textile mill axis.
It was disclosed that in avenging the killing of its member, Aiye went after Eiye in what the source claimed was wrongly targeted at the Eiye where four members were killed.
The source said, one Courage Idehen, was downed at Uselu quarters, one at Universal Medical stores Road, another Ufoma at Oluku axis, and a member at Textile Mill Road axis.
This, however, the source claimed led to Eiye declaring war on Aiye for killing four of its members at the instance of the maphite who was reported to have started the heinous killings.
First, a man who is said to be a backup musician to a local artist alleged to be a member of the Aiye Confraternity was hacked to death in front of his mother by Ediaken Primary School Road to herald the revenge mission by Eiye after four of its members were reportedly killed, according to the source.
Three members of the Aiye, the source said, were also killed at Siloko Road at various locations and one was killed at Circular Road all in Benin Metropolis.
When quizzed further, the source said other victims reportedly killed were innocent, adding that at the last count, 13 people had died as a result of the fiercely combative cult clash.
When contacted on Tuesday, the Edo State Police Image Maker SP Chidi Nwabuzor said he was on the wheel heading to a broadcast house for a talk show and couldn’t talk but promised to respond shortly before filling in the report.