Serious tension has gripped Benin, the capital of Edo State, as rival cult groups, Aye and Maphite Confraternities, have reignited their battle for dominance, resulting in the deaths of at least 15 people.
This resurgence of violence occurs just three months after Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, signed the Secret Cult Prohibition Bill into law, which imposes a 21-year prison sentence on cult members and their sponsors.
The renewed cult war reportedly began on Friday, April 25, 2025, with the killing of a physiotherapist named Alex and another person near the back gate of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) in Ugbowo, Benin.
Eyewitnesses stated that Alex was shot dead by gunmen while he was eating lunch.
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In what appeared to be a retaliatory attack on the same Friday, two suspected cult members were reportedly shot at a well-known restaurant on Sapele Road in Benin by unidentified gunmen, triggering a wave of cult-related killings across the city.
Other reported incidents include the killing of an alleged cultist on Upper Forestry Road, and the deaths of two people at 2nd East Circular and Upper Sokponba Road by the bypass on Saturday.
Another individual, believed to be a member of one of the cult groups, was killed at his boutique on 2nd Ugbor Road in Benin.
On Saturday evening, another suspected cultist was killed on Ibiwe Street, close to King Square (Ring Road), and a cement dealer was also killed in front of his shop that same day.
On Monday evening, one person was shot dead behind Iyayi Sawmill in Okhoro, Benin, while another individual identified as Iyobo was killed in the Obenevebo Community on Sapele Road.
Casualties have also been reported in other areas affected by the ongoing cult violence, including Uselu Shell and the Peanut axis on Sapele Road, where one person each was killed between Sunday and Monday.
As of the time of the report, the Edo State police authorities have not yet released an official statement regarding the escalating and concerning situation in Benin.
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