Edo Community Urges Oba to Curse Cultists

|By Adejumo Adekunle

Amid a surge in cult-related violence in Edo State, the Benin United Forum has urged the Oba of Benin, Ewuare II, to place curses on individuals involved in these violent acts, echoing his previous curse on those involved in human trafficking.

The Edo State Police Command confirmed one fatality linked to recent cult clashes, while local sources report up to eight deaths. The renewed clashes, primarily between the Eiye and Vikings confraternities, reportedly intensified following a failed peace meeting at Tipper Garage, Upper Sokponba.

In a statement, Benin United Forum leaders Iyamu Culture and Osayuki-Osa Benson appealed to the Oba to direct chief priests to curse those perpetuating violence, which has heavily impacted areas like Upper Sokponba.

Separately, the Network of Civil Society Organisations in Edo urged police to lift the ban on vigilante groups to combat rising crime, stating the ban has worsened the region’s security situation. The group’s president, Ogbidi Emmanuel, called for an investigation to hold the perpetrators accountable.