Attacks: How Benin City residents fled homes as 6 raped by suspected cultists

From Nosa Akenzua.

Worried by the frequent attack on them by suspected cultists, members of old Edo College road in Benin City, Edo State have fled their houses for fear of the unknown

Old Edo College Road is off the popular wire road in Benin City Edo State where famous ancient historians lived and wrote various history books among others

The street critically deplorable for lack of drainage system had over the years been abandoned by successive administrations in the state while its members suffer untold hardship including epileptic power supply, robbery attacks.

It was gathered that frequent attacks on the people of the street with six young ladies allegedly raped in the recent times, has resulted in a decision for them to flee their houses for fear of not being killed by the rampaging cultists who are alleged to be operating with guns and knives

Sources who spoke to our correspondent on condition of anonymity said that the cultists are members of the Eiye confraternity who operate under ‘ massive supports” of an Akwa Ibom female trader as their lady friend, and as often times, they carry out their”Convocation ceremony” in the area during week hours.

Speaking to our correspondent, one of the fleeing residents, Mr Godwin Okoye described as unfortunate the activities of the cultists who have been robbing residents as well as raping the housewives before they resolved to flee their houses, adding that” We have severally written to the police to come to our aid to no avail. We don’t sleep at night fall and the civil defense members don’t have the heavy weapons they operate with and more often they operate at gunpoint”

But Police Public Relations Officer in the State SP Kotongs Bello who spoke to our correspondent said that the police have mobilized to the street with a view to ensuring those behind the nefarious activities are brought to arrest adding that the Edo State Police Command has zero tolerance for crimes, disclosing that crime rates in the State have dropped with residents sleeping with their two eyes closed. 

He said that it would no longer be business as usual for all forms of Criminal activities, particularly with the help of other security agencies in the state warning that the suspected cultists would be crushed in no sooner than later in the street. 

It was further gathered that one female trader identified as Sister Rose (Surname withheld), has no respect for the street elders who had severally cautioned her to no avail particularly when it became clear that she eats and drinks with the cultists reportedly known to be members of a neighboring street called Azama street off Wire road

Speaking to our correspondent the Odionwere (Head of the street) Pa Agbonghae Ibizugbe said that they have been helplessly attacked by the suspected cultists who sing frightening songs during nightfall as they have taken over the street 

He said” We are appealing to the police to come to our aid and pick the suspects.

Investigation revealed that apart from harassing female residents of the street, the suspected cultists shoot sporadically into the air as they hang around the area.