Cult fights and gun violence killed over 180 people in Edo State between January 2021 and December 2023, according to a research by the Partnerships Initiatives in the Niger Delta (PIND).
The P4P Peace Map’s weekly update revealed an upsurge in cult-related deaths in the state.
Benin City had the largest number of deaths (97), followed by Ogbegbe (31), Ewu-Esan LGA (over 13), Egbeta (three), and Ekpoma (two). The remaining 34 fatalities are scattered throughout many additional local government units within the state.
The PIND stated gang violence is a key source of insecurity in the state, fueled mostly by competing cult gangs’ struggles for supremacy and territorial control, as well as vigilante violence, conflict over the collection of illegal levies, and general crime.
According to statistics accessible on the conflict tracker page, gang violence killed over 180 people in the state over the last two years.
The Heat Map depicts the geographical distribution of gang violence-related fatalities in Edo State throughout the review period.
“The recent wave of killings by cult gangs has the potential to escalate in ways that could negatively impact the dynamics of conflict and insecurity in the State.
“It could trigger a cycle of reprisal violence that could degenerate into extended battles for supremacy among the numerous cult gangs in the State.
“This could take on various criminal, communal and political dimensions, especially in the context of rising tensions in the lead-up to the September 2024 governorship election in the state. This could bring about serious socio-economic, and political disruptions in the State.
“The recent wave of killings by cult gangs could significantly impact the dynamics of conflict and insecurity in the State. It could set off a cycle of reprisal killing and criminality.”
“Peace actors should collaborate with the State government and community leaders to address the underlying drivers of the current wave of killings,” the report said.
cc: Punch Ng
