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Emmanuel Aigbogun, coordinator of the Edo People’s Advocacy Organization, has issued a desperate plea to the Edo State government, demanding immediate and decisive action to combat the escalating cult violence that is terrorizing the region.
Aigbogun calls for the outright criminalization of cultism, arguing it’s a critical step in halting the senseless killings plaguing the state.
He further implores prominent Edo leaders to demand answers regarding the fate of numerous citizens who have vanished during security raids on campuses, streets and football centers.
“If these individuals cannot be located,” Aigbogun asserts, “they must be declared deceased, and their families compensated by the government.”
He urges Edo residents to compile a comprehensive list of missing persons and identify those forced into exile, both within Nigeria and abroad.
He cited the 2015 clash between the Eiye and Manfight confraternities, which resulted in multiple deaths and the disappearance of witnesses like Jimoh Aisiriekpe Omoriegie, Osazuwa Sunday Osakpolor, and Nosakhare Igbinosa Edebor, who remain missing even after a decade.
He stated: “I remember a violent clash between Eiye confraternity and Manfight groups in April 2015 around the Second East Circular area of the state capital that claimed five lives. A member of the Manfight group was said to have been beaten and hacked to death during the incident. The incident spread to other parts of the city as members of the group (Manfight) vowed to avenge the death of their member. This made a lot of indigenes flee the community, including one Jimoh Aisiriekpe Omoriegie, Osazuwa Sunday Osakpolor, and Nosakhare Igbinosa Edebor because the cultists were after their lives for witnessing the crime scene. These people have been missing for the past 10 years.”
Aigbogun stressed that government intervention alone is insufficient, calling for strong community involvement. He emphasizes the crucial roles of traditional rulers, community leaders, and religious institutions in reclaiming their neighborhoods and seeking the whereabouts of their missing members.
“The silence of those in power and the lack of public outrage have fostered an environment where cultists thrive,” he warns. “We must demand justice for the victims and pressure authorities to act swiftly.”
He identifies the root causes of this crisis as unemployment, lack of education, and the erosion of moral values, arguing that addressing these issues is essential for any lasting solution.
“Edo State stands at a crossroads,” Aigbogun declares. “We cannot afford to remain passive as cultists destroy lives and communities. The citizens of Edo State deserve to live in peace. The government, security agencies, and all stakeholders must fulfill their responsibilities. The blood of the slain cries out for justice, and we must answer that call.”
