Benin City has been rocked by a violent clash between rival cult groups that has reportedly left several people dead, with the death toll estimated to be between eight and twenty individuals. The intense conflict, primarily centered around Upper Sokponba Road, erupted over the past few days and has created widespread fear and unrest in the community.
The ongoing violence is believed to be between the Eiye and Vikings confraternities, rival groups with a history of tension. Although the specific cause of the latest conflict remains unclear, sources say it began during a failed attempt to negotiate peace between the two groups.
According to a local resident, “Some of their leaders tried to resolve the crisis in a meeting at Tipper Garage in Idogbo, but the attempt to settle matters didn’t work.”
The source added that the initial peace talks quickly broke down, escalating the situation.
Shortly after the failed negotiation, members of the Eiye confraternity allegedly attacked Vikings members with knives, leaving some wounded but sparing lives initially. The violence, however, took a deadly turn when Vikings members retaliated by killing a high-ranking Eiye member, sparking a deadly cycle of revenge.
“They went back in numbers and killed one of the top members of Eiye. That’s how things escalated,” explained a witness.
In the following hours, another Eiye member, known locally as “Oil Man,” was also killed, followed by further attacks as both groups sought vengeance.
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As tensions intensified, additional attacks occurred on nearby residences, with innocent residents reportedly caught in the crossfire. In one incident, a Vikings member was reportedly stabbed and left for dead, only to be later found alive and receiving medical treatment in a hospital. Despite the recent violence, attempts at peace remain challenging, as both groups appear unwilling to compromise.
“The challenge is that one group does not accept the apology, and the other doesn’t,” a source noted, highlighting the obstacles to de-escalating the situation.
The Edo State Police have yet to officially respond to the crisis. When contacted, Police Public Relations Officer Moses Yamu said that the police would address the situation at an “appropriate time.”
The lack of immediate intervention has led to frustration among residents, who fear further violence if action is not taken swiftly.