3 killed in renewed cult clash in Benin

After some months of calm, cultism has raised its ugly head in Benin City, Edo State, following the killing of two people on Tuesday and one on Sunday, in  renewed attacks by cultists within the Benin metropolis.

Attacks by rival cult groups are common in the Edo State capital. Many were killed late last year in an orgy of violence during the Christmas period.

This time around, trouble reportedly started on Sunday evening, at a popular bar located at Sakponba Road area of the metropolis after some youths belonging to rival cult groups clashed.

Some suspected cult members were said to have shot dead an unidentified man in the neigbourhood later on Sunday night, following the scuffle earlier in the day.

Two more people were reportedly killed on Tuesday, by the cultists in the clash said to involve members of the Black Axe and Eiye confraternities.

A man identified as Papa Obodo was said to have been attacked by some cultists, who reportedly beat him to a pulp at Murtala Mohammed Way and beheaded him on Tuesday afternoon.

Another person killed was a man identified as Osaze, who was killed at Second East Circular road Tuesday morning.

He was said to have initially escaped from the grip of the suspected cultists, who stormed his home, and scaled two fences before he was cornered and shot.