The Nation Newspaper

Tag: cult war

  • Cult war claims four lives in Delta

    Four persons have been killed following a clash between two rival cults in Asaba, the Delta State capital.

    The Nation gathered that the killings took place between May 7 and 8 at locations in Asaba.

    The police command, in a statement by its spokesperson, Onome Onovwakpoyeya, said three persons have been arrested in connection with the incidents.

    She said on May 7, a shooting incident was reported at Cable, Asaba, following a clash between two rival cults– the Aiye and Vikings confraternities.

    “The police patrol team, on arrival on the scene, found a young man already shot in the right eye, lying in a pool of blood. He was taken to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Asaba, but died while receiving treatment on May 8.

    Read also: Police bust robbery gang in Delta

    “Also, on the same day, a body was found on the ground with injuries on the left rib, near the scene of the earlier shooting. It has been deposited at the FMC mortuary.

    “The deceased was identified as Chijine Chigbata, male, 54, a guard with a firm in Asaba.

    “On May 8, the continued face-off between the two rival cults claimed two more lives of suspected cultists.

    The victims, Jude Nwakama, male and Okwudili Ozah, male, 26, were attacked with an axe and a knife at locations in Akuofu and Oduke, Asaba,” Onovwakpoyeya said.

    The police spokesperson said Samuel Okwuonyekwu and two others have been arrested by the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) operatives in connection with the crises.

    She said one locally-made double barrel short gun was recovered from one of the suspects.

     

     

  • 12 killed in Edo cult war

    About 12 persons have been killed in parts of Benin City, the Edo State capital, in a renewed cult war.

    Some were killed at the Agbor park axis, while others were murdered around Murtala Muhammed Way and Third Junction area.

    Three persons were hacked to death at Isibor junction, adjacent to St Saviour Road.

    On Monday and Sunday night, traders around the Third junction hurriedly closed shops, following sporadic shootings between rival cultists and policemen.

    It was learnt that the renewed killings started on Sunday night when a victim was killed at Iyobosa Street, opposite Edo College, at a place popularly called Aso Rock. Another victim was killed by 2nd East Circular, near Ekiosa, by Lucky junction.

    A 22-year-old boy identified as Ogbe was shot dead on Monday night.

    The Legend Foundation has, however, urged the government and security agencies to step up their fight against crimes, especially cultism.

    The Director-General of the group, Kadiri Christopher, said parents should guide their children against cultism and others.

    Police Commissioner Danmallam Abubakar said one person was injured during the Monday incident, but was in a stable condition.

    He said the police repelled the cultists, adding that nobody was killed.

    “There was shooting. The cultists came out and we repelled them. We need the cooperation of the people to curb the activities of cultists. We made some arrests at Ekpoma and two in Benin.

    “Nobody has been killed to my knowledge, but somebody was wounded. He is in a stable condition.”

     

  • 12 killed in Edo cult war

    About 12 persons have been killed in different parts of Bénin City, Edo state in a renewed cult war.

    Some were killed at the Agbor park axis while others were killed around M. M Way and Third Junction area.

    Three persons were hacked to death by Isibor Junction adjacent St Saviour Road.

    On Monday and Sunday nights, traders around the Third Junction hurriedly closed shops following sporadic shootings between rival cult groups and policemen.

    It was learnt that the renewed killings started on Sunday night when a victim was killed at Iyobosa Street opposite Edo College at a place popularly called Aso Rock.

    Another victim was killed by 2nd East Circular near Ekiosa by Lucky Junction.

    In another circumstance, a 22 years old boy identified as Ogbe was shot dead on Monday night.

    The Legend Foundation has however called on the state government and security agencies to step up their fight against crime and cultism in the state.

    Director General of the group, Kadiri Christopher, said on parents should guide their ward against cultism and other vices. 

    Police Commissioner, Danmallam Abubakar, said one person was wounded in the Monday’s shootout but is in a stable condition.

    Abubakar said the police repelled the cultists and said nobody was killed.

    “There was shooting. The cultist came out and we repel them. We need the cooperation of the people to check mate activities of cultist. We made some arrest in Ekpoma and two others were arrested in Bénin.

    “Nobody has been killed to my knowledge but somebody was wounded and he is in stable condition.”

  • Cult war claims four lives in Rivers

    Suspected cultists have killed four people in Diobu, Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.

    There was confusion in the area. Residents were thrown into mourning.

    The incidents occurred between 4am on Monday and 8:15am yesterday.

    Two persons, a woman and a middle-aged man, were reportedly killed around Mechanic garage, near St. Thomas Church, Ikoku junction, Mile II Diobu.

    Two members of a vigilance group were murdered at Lumuba/Emenike and Nanka streets, all in Diobu.

    A source said the woman, who was a gin seller, was shot dead during a gun battle by two cults.

    The source said the woman was killed when a cultist ran to where she was selling gin to shield himself from bullets.

    The incident paralysed commercial activities. Shops and houses were shut for fear of arrest by security operatives, who stormed the area.

    The police confirmed that the fight was cult related, saying peace had been restored.

    Two vigilantes were killed at Mile 2, Diobu last month.

  • Three killed in Delta community cult war

    At least three persons have been confirmed killed in the Ovwian/Aladja Express Junction area of Udu council area of Delta state as some suspected rival cultists engage each other in battle.

    Besides the killings and further threat to the lives of residents and those who go through the very busy area, an outskirt of Warri metropolis, normal economic and other daily activities have been sacked by the panic that trail the cult war.

    The Nation gathered that trouble started on Monday when some unknown gunmen felled one Godwin Uwe, a notorious cultist who has been on police wanted list for a number of murder cases.

    Residents and those doing business in the area had initially assumed the fight to be a leadership tussle among members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), but matters wore more dangerous colour when the shooting got more serious.

    A source living close to the area, who gave his name as Bernard, said the fight was a leadership tussle among those operating the Ovwian motor park.

    “They dropped (killed) one person Monday, they have dropped almost tow today. It’s all these agbero (touts) boys; I think they said they are fighting over positions. The place has been a no go area since.

    Read Also:Delta community boils over recognition of monarch by government

    Police have taking over the whole area already..

    “The whole of the area has been locked up by the security since, so nobody can open shop there today. When I passed there Tuesday afternoon, they have packed the corpses from the place”, he said.

    Meanwhile, confirming the development, the Police Public Relations of the Delta state police command, Andrew Aniamaka (DSP), related the whole situation to cult rivalry, adding that the situation had been kept under control.

    “So far we have three people down, I am not aware of any wounded; as at yesterday somebody died and two others were killed today. It’s cult related, it’s between these Viking and Arrowbagers, even the person killed Monday, one Godwin Uwe, has been on a list of persons wanted in connection with cases of murder. He’s one of the
    kingpins of one of the cult groups; he’s been in hiding for a while and looked like the other group got him. As we speak there’s calm in the area and in the division.

    “Nobody has come to identify the two persons who were killed today. What we’ve discovered is that these groups strike and retreat, in other words, cult members from the area employ the services of those from outside to come and do their fight, after which they disappear”, Aniamaka said.

    When asked if the fight had any link with the NURTW in the area, he said “we’ll investigate to know if such (NURTW) rivalry has culminated into cult clashes”.

  • Breaking: Ijebu – Igbo boils as six die in cult violence 

    …We’ll restore order, arrest perpetrators of violence – Police

     

     

    Six persons, including a bricklayer and whose name is yet to be verified, were said to have been gunned down and several others injured in a renewed gun war that erupted between suspected members of rival cult groups in Ijebu – Igbo, Ogun State.

    The gun battle which began around 5:30pm on Sunday at Oke – Sopen road leading to Station bus stop, spilled into Oke – Agbo area and Ojowo, with gunshot booming intermittently all through the night and escalating in the early hour of Monday.

    While four persons were said to have been shot dead and several wounded during the clash on Sunday evening, two others got killed in a pre – dawn reprisal attacks launched by one of the feuding cult groups.

    There was pandemonium. Residents and visitors scampered to safety in fear and it was learnt that some of the victims were caught in a cross – fire.

    A source in Ijebu – Igbo told The Nation that three persons, believed to be members of the same family, were killed in front of their father’s house in Ojowo, another killed near the Amazing Graze Petroleum Station while two others were shot dead at Odobalogun – all in Ijebu – Igbo town.

    It was also learnt that a detachment of soldiers, Operatives of the Federal Special Anti – Robbery Squad(F-SARS), Anti – cult unit of the Ogun State Police Command, Anti – Riot Policemen and regular armed policemen deployed in their hundreds to the volatile town since yesterday evening, were sighted this morning  labouring to restore order.

    The Nation gathered that violence erupted between two rival cult groups in Ijebu – Igbo, the Headquarters of the Ijebu North Local Government Area, around 5:10pm shortly after the  end of two deparate political meetings in the seedy town by an equally rival politicians in Ogun East ahead of the 2019 general elections.

    The Police Public Relations Officer in Ogun State, Abimbola Oyeyemi, who confirmed the cult clash, said the Area Commander, Ijebu Police Area Command, the Divisional Police Officers in Ijebuland,

    Operatives of the Federal Special Anti – Robbery Squad(F-SARS), Anti – cult unit of the Ogun State Police Command, Anti – Riot Policemen and regular armed policemen have have all been deployed the area  to restore order.

    Abimbola, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), added that normalcy had returned and advised people not to panic; assuring that the perpetrators of the violence would be arrested soon.

    Read Also: Three die, 10 injured in Ijebu -Ode-Ore expressway accident

  • Cult war: Aye killed 12 of our members – suspects 

    Cult war: Aye killed 12 of our members – suspects 

    …As police parade killer squad

     

    Three suspected members of Eiye confraternity Wednesday blamed the Black Axe (Aye) group for the death of 12 of their members at Seriki Village in Ogun State.

    A Beninnois, Moses Anthony 20, Kabiru Ajao 28 and Samson Adagu 25, were paraded by the spokesperson for the Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) Zone II, Onikan, Dolapo Badmos, a Superintendent (SP).

    According to Badmos, the suspects were responsible for numerous murders in the area including that of the leader of Aye, Lanre Welder.

    She said three guns were recovered from the “killer squad.”

    Badmos said: “The Zonal Intervention Squad received information that some cultists were always disturbing the peace of Seriki village. They stormed the community arrested three suspects, while others escaped. A search of their houses led to the discovery of ammunition and guns.

    “The suspects confessed to have been involved in killings and counter killings. AIG Adamu Ibrahim has directed that investigations be thorough and suspects charge to court. They’ll be charged for murder and cultism.”

    But the suspects, who admitted to have killed only Welder, said they did it to retaliate the murder of their members including a 400level Animal and Health Studies student at the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Olakunle Adekunle alias Carlous said to be their leader.

    They claimed that two traction al rulers were sponsoring the cult wars, alleging that one of the monarchs hired Aye members to rid his community of Eiye boys.

    Callous was stoned to death by suspected members of Aye. His head was said to have been smashed.

    Although the fight between the rival cults groups have been on for many years, Adagu said things got worst with the death of leaders of both groups.

    Ajao said: “I didn’t go with the gang on the day Lanre Welder was killed. He was killed this month but Callous was murdered last month. I don’t know why Callous was killed but the killers are working for a certain monarch.”

    Adagu, an artisan said: “It was Aiye members that killed Carlous. When his friends on campus heard about his death, they came to Seriki village and joined forces with Eiye members there. They carried out a reprisal and shot Lanre Welder, a member of Aiye, to death. Aiye members are seriously waging war against Eiye members. They have killed more than 12 of our members.”

    Anthony, a bricklayer, denied killing anyone, adding that Callous was his brother. He claimed he was in his house when policemen came and arrested him.

    He said: “I came to Nigeria in 2010 to work as a bricklayer. A friend initiated me into Eiye. I have never killed anyone. My brother, Callous was killed on the road by Aiye members. They ambushed him. Eight of his friends came from school to avenge his death. They killed Lanre Welder. All the guns belonged to Callous. He brought them from school.”

  • Gunmen kill six in Rivers community’s cult war

    Gunmen kill six in Rivers community’s cult war

    •Community, police station sacked    •Police: only three died

    Barely 48 hours after gunmen suspected to be cultists stormed and killed eight persons at Ozochi in Ahoada East Local Government Area of Rivers State, gunmen have killed six other persons at Ibaa in Emohua Local Government Area.

    The incident reportedly took place between Sunday night and Monday morning.

    A source in the community said the gunmen were suspected members of Greenlanders cult group.

    They were said to have stormed the community and opened fire on the residents, killing six people.

    The victims, it was learnt, are: Prince Nyenke, Dirinna, Kpomasiruchi, ThankGod Obisike and two others.

    The gunmen’s invasion was said to be for reprisal against its rival cult group, the Icelanders.

    The source, who spoke in confidence for security reasons, said the gunmen operated freely for hours without interruption.

    The source, who witnessed the incident, noted that the hoodlums moved from one house to another in search of the members of the Icelanders.

    The Greenlanders reportedly chased the Icelanders from their camp in the community and took it over.

    It was learnt that the community’s mini-police post had been closed since the shootout among the suspected cultists.

    Also, the Caretaker Chairman of Emohua Local Government Area, John Wokoma, who visited the affected families, described the situation as pathetic.

    Addressing the community’s displaced persons at Rumuji Junction, Wokoma urged them to return to their homes.

    He said the local government would provide tight security for the displaced residents.

    The council chairman said his administration would also ensure the protection of lives and property of the residents.

    Police spokesman Ahmad Muhammad, a Deputy superintendent of Police (DSP), said the incident was a fallout of confrontation among suspected rival cult members.

    The spokesman said three persons were confirmed dead.

    He said peace had been restored to the area.

    Muhammad said: “It was a supremacy clash between Deygbam and Islander cult groups, which left three fatal casualties. Normalcy has since been restored due to police intervention.”

     

  • Two students beheaded in Abia varsity cult war

    Two students beheaded in Abia varsity cult war

    Two students died in last Saturday’s cult war in the Abia State University, Uturu, Abia State, it was learnt yesterday.

    It was gathered that the cultists were on a reprisal mission over the alleged killing of their leader last week.

    A source said one of the victims, Nwigbo Chukwuebuka, was a 300 -level student of Estate Management, and the other, Samuel Ethelbert, was a 300-level student of Political Science.

    Another source alleged that the clash was between two rival gangs, Burkina Faso and Mafia, adding that the Burkina Faso gang came on a reprisal mission because its leader, Collins Agwu, a.k.a Biggy, was killed last week.

    The attack, according to the source, happened at the CHIDOO Hostel (about 4km from the university gate), when the assailants stormed the hostel last Saturday night after Agwu’s burial.

    “His men came on a reprisal attack and struck at about 9pm, as the victims prepared to cook.

    “They saw a third student, who is believed to be a visitor, and cut him with machete before overpowering their targets and beheading them.

    “After killing them, the murderers took their heads to the university football field and fixed them as goal posts.

    “The third victim is now receiving treatment in an unnamed hospital and is believed to be in a critical condition.”

    When contacted for comments, Vice Chancellor Prof Uche Ikonne and the Public Relations Officer, Mr. Acho Elendu, were said to be in a crucial management meeting.

    But a security chief said the incident happened at an off-campus hostel and so, the school authority’s jurisdiction does not cover.

    The officer, who pleaded for anonymity, alleged that it was a clash between rival cult groups.

    “Because it happened outside the campus, the university security cannot be responsible for the development,” he said.

    Police spokeman Onyeke Udeviotu confirmed the incident. He said the Commissioner of Police has directed the homicide department of the State CID to begin investigations. He vowed that the perpetrators will be fished out.

    Udeviotu confirmed that the third victim, Samuel Umeaforo Chigozirim, also a 300 level Political Science student, is receiving treatment at an undisclosed hospital. He said the bodies had been deposited at an undisclosed morgue and no arrest has been made.

  • One killed, shops, vehicles burnt in cult war

    One killed, shops, vehicles burnt in cult war

    One person was killed; vehicles, shops and tricycle were burnt in renewed fighting by rival cult groups in Mushin/Idi-Araba axis of Lagos.

    The factions were said to have combed streets to smoke out their targets.

    Traders hurriedly closed their shops; residents retired early for fear of their lives.

    According to reports, the hoodlums came around 2:30pm on Sunday shooting sporadically into the air to scare passersby.

    They burnt down properties, especially shops and vehicles.

    Two shops, two vehicles and one tricycle (Marwa) were burnt on Karimu Street in Mushin; shops and houses were razed in Idi Araba.

    It was gathered that a  18-year-old boy staying on Awoniyi Street in Mushin who was returning from a football viewing centre, died after running into the cross fire.

    A woman, whose shop was razed, said she was eating when the first gunshot went off, adding that people came rushing into her shop out of fear.

    A resident said the problem of the groups was always women and money. Some of the clashes, he said, might have been fuelled by political rivalry.

    His words: “I know because I found out that each time they fight, either women or money is involved. It is always one of these two. You cannot also say they are commercial motorcycle operators or members of transport unions. The two factions cannot be said to be members of a particular profession. They belong to all professions. What is common is they are rivals and they apply dangerous weapons to fight one another”.

    Detachments of policemen reportedly kept vigil in those areas between Sunday and yesterday.

    Another resident appealed to the state and Federal Government to deploy soldiers in the area, “so that those who come every day to destroy properties and disturb our peace can be checked”.

    He said: “I have been staying in this area for over 10 years and I have witnessed over 30 of this disturbance. It is a matter of every other day occurrence. Why should things be this bad in a state where there is a government? The police seem unable to control the two factions because they know those involved but they cannot arrest them. So many people are being killed accidentally in crisis they don’t know anything about. It is time the state and Federal Government met to solve the Mushin/Idi-Araba uprisings”.

    Police spokesman Kenneth Nwosu, a Deputy Superintendent (DSP) said the situation had been brought under control, adding people were now going about with their lawful business.

    The police, he said, were getting to the root of the problem, adding:  “Our men will continue to be on ground to make the place unsafe for hoodlums and secure for residents and businesses”.