Herders, Kidnappers Intensify Attacks in Edo, Amidst Renewed Cult Killings

Spread the love

By Reporter

The security situation across Edo State has assumed a worrisome dimension. From the incalcitrant Fulani-herders killings, the activities of rival cult members have escalated the challenges of insecurity in the state.

In the case of late Joel Isibor, owner of Isijoel Boutique, who was killed in his business premises along the busy 2nd Ugbor in Benin City, the assailant laid ambush for late Isibor and shot him while trying to close the day’s business. Nothing is said to has been removed from the store.

Blessings, the deceased wife told sympathizers that, her 42-year-old husband who was also an estate developer and boutique owner, was shot to death by unknown gunmen who attacked him right in his store last Friday 25th, April 2025.

Blessing appealed to Governor Monday Okpebholo and security agencies to carry out thorough investigation to unravel the mystery surrounding the gruesome murder of her husband.

Across Benin City and environs, alleged cultists have continued their violent attacks on rival cult members and this has claimed the lives of people.

According to reports, the supremacy between some rival cult groups, have so far led to the killing of no fewer than 15 persons.

The latest killings kicked off last Friday when a physiotherapist, identified as ‘Alex’ was hacked to death, which was followed with another at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) “back gate”, while having his lunch.

Also on Friday, two young men alleged to be cult members were reportedly shot at a restaurant located along Sapele Road, Benin City. The killings on Friday subsequently escalated the next day, Saturday 26th, April.

In similar manner, one unidentified person was shot and killed at Upper Forestry Road, and there were reports too, that two people were followed and killed along 2nd East Circular and Upper Sokponba Road that same Saturday.

As at the time of this report, areas such as Uselu Shell and Peanut road have recorded at least one death between Sunday and yesterday Monday 28th, 2025.

The shockwave of the alleged cult killings visited the popular Kings Square when a cement seller was shot dead in front of his shop, while another person was killed later Saturday evening.

Yesterday, Monday 28th, another person, identified simply as “Iyobo”, was killed at Obenevebo Community, in Sapele Road axis, while a yet to be identified man was shot dead behind Iyayi Sawmill, in Okhoro area of Benin City.

Before the renewed alleged rival cult killings, Fulani herders have infiltrated the entire Edo State and succeeded in sacking some communities.

Hundreds of Edo people have been sent to their untimely graves and few that have escaped death, were forced to pay ransome as a means to guarantee their lives in some communities.

On Saturday April 25, 2025, gunmen suspected to be herdsmen kidnapped the Labour Party Ward 1 Chairman in Akoko-Edo Local Government Area of Edo State, Mr Okasime Olowojoba along the Auchi–Benin–Ibillo road.

He was traveling to Igarra, the administrative headquarters of the local government, from Auchi, where he had gone to bring his children ahead of the school resumptiopn yesterday, Monday 28.

The unfortunate incident occurred at a bad spot within the Sasaro community, an area marked for series of kidnapping cases.

The abductors Midwest Herald gathered, later released Mr Olowojoba’s wife and children who were initially taken into the forest by the daredevils.

These alleged killings come on the heels of the anti cultism law passed by the Edo State House of Assembly and signed by Gover Monday Okpebholo.

Curiously, the exacerbated violence comes at a time when the Edo State Government, has empowered the security organs in the state with vehicles and other logistics to ensure optimal performance.

In the wake of the “Uromi killings”, the Police Service Commission also replaced the commissioner of police in the state.

However, the change in command has done little to inspire the confidence of residence in the area of security of life and property.