BY MIKE OSAROGIAGBON
Suspected cultists have beheaded a 42-year-old man, sending fears and anxiety across the Uwelu community of Benin amid police intensified clampdown on criminal gangs operating in Edo State.
The victim’s head and feet were carted away by his assailants.
Police recovered the body of the victim along Powerline Street, Uwelu area, Benin City, about 7:30pm on December 7, 2023.
The victim was identified as Lapaja Johnbull, 42, ambushed by deadly members of a cult group.
His decapitated body abandoned in a pool of blood was also said to have been riddled with bullets.
Many traders in Uwelu market did not open their shops when our correspondent visited last weekend.
“Right now everyone living around this area is afraid. Those that come around for business just decided not to come because the hoodlums can stage broad day attack.
“It has happened before, it is not ritual killing, Oga, forget vigilantes, if they start now everyone will run helter skelter,” a visibly terrified resident said.
It was observed that operatives of Ugbowo and Ogida police divisions as well as Edo State Security Network (ESSN) have beefed up security to forestall reprisals in and around the area.
The beheading incident is trailing that of last month when police reportedly evacuated dismembered body of yet-to-be identified man in Uwelu.
In that killing, the body with two feet, wrists cut off and placed beside it, was discovered dumped in a bushy side of Uwelu road by a patrol station on Monday, November 20, 2023.
The latest sad incident occurred as the state police command goes tougher on all criminal groups disturbing residents of the stated.
It would be recalled that the Commissioner of police in Edo, CP Mohammed Dankwara last Tuesday paraded 80 suspected cultists apprehended during raids of flashpoints across the state capital.
Arms and ammunition were paraded as exhibits recovered from suspects.
During the parade, CP Mohammed, while briefing journalists explained that “they are from various cult groups but the prominent ones that always have problems are Aiye, Eiye and Maphite, if anything happens to one, others will galvanize to take revenge no matter the time, it might not be immediately.
“There is no benefit in being a cultist. Those that have ears let them hear”.
The police boss also warned patrons of cult groups to desist forthwith or be prepared to face prosecution.
“Whoever, either in government or outside government that into cult activities or supporting them tactically, physically or financially to desist from it.
“Anybody no matter how highly placed he may be, once it is related to this and we get you, we are going to prosecute you. That is the only way I think we can go because the menace is getting out of hand, if we relent they are ready to take over the state”, he stated.
