One killed as rival cults clash in Edo; govt seals homes, shrines linked to leaders

A violent confrontation between rival cult groups, the Eiye and Maphite confraternities, has left one man dead in Evboyare community, Uhunmwode Local Government Area of Edo State.

The Coordinator of the Edo State Government’s Special Security Squad, Idemudia Noah, confirmed the development in a statement issued Thursday through Governor Monday Okpebholo’s Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua.

According to Noah, the clash escalated from a community dispute into cult warfare, leading to the death of a victim identified as Festus. Security intelligence linked the attack to alleged Maphite leader, Felix Aigbedion, whose residence has since been sealed.

He has also been declared wanted for allegedly masterminding the assault.

By the time security operatives arrived in Evboyare, the community was deserted, with homes, vehicles, and personal belongings destroyed. Two locally-made firearms were recovered from a poultry house that investigators said had been converted into a makeshift armory.

The government said further intelligence led operatives to an unoccupied building in Egbaen, Egor Local Government Area, in the early hours of Wednesday. Behind the premises, officers uncovered a shrine allegedly used for cult initiation rites.

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The house, belonging to one Marvellous Adetarami, contained a white casket and fetish items believed to be associated with cult activities. The property was immediately sealed by the government.

Reaffirming its resolve, Noah said the Okpebholo administration will continue to dismantle both the physical and spiritual infrastructure sustaining cultism in Edo.

“Governor Monday Okpebholo’s government is unwavering in its commitment to rid Edo State of cult-related violence and criminal networks. We have sealed the home of Felix Aigbedion, who was linked to the fatal Evboyare clash, and the Egbaen residence of Marvellous Adetarami, where a shrine was uncovered. These actions are not symbolic; they are clear warnings that clandestine activities will no longer have safe havens in Edo State,” Noah declared.

He added that investigators had also uncovered evidence of extortion during cult initiation processes, including cases where victims were forced to transfer money to members.

He confirmed that police authorities had been briefed and prosecutions were already underway.

Noah issued a stern warning to cultists to either renounce their membership or vacate Edo State, stressing that the government remains determined to protect lives, restore peace, and create a secure environment for residents and businesses.