Cultists hold ‘security summit’ in Edo

BENIN — Against the background of
incessant kidnappings and other violent
crimes in Edo State, members of various
cult groups in the state came together in
Benin, weekend, in a move they said was to
tackle insecurity in the state.
However, the cult groups during their
summit with the theme Interactive Peace
Summit: Strategy for Social Cohesion,
which held at the Sand Beach Resorts,
Benin, expressed dissatisfaction with
threats posed to Edo and other
neighboring states due to the activities of
kidnappers, armed robbery gangs and
other criminal activities. They resolved to
tackle them.
Represented
Some of the cult groups represented by at
the summit included Green Circuit
(Maphites), Norsemen (Vikings), Black Axe,
Eiye Confraternity, Family Fraternity of
Nigeria and Avarian Organisation of Nigeria.
Also in attendance were representatives of
Governor Adams Oshiomhole; the Iyase
(traditional Prime Minister) of
BeninKingdom, Chief Sam Igbe;
representatives of the Edo State
Commissioner of Police and that of AIG
Zone 5 Benin and representatives of the
Director, Department of State Services.
Others were representatives of the
Commandant of Civil Defence and Security
Corps, Edo State Neighbourhood Watch
Council and the OC, SIB, AIG Zone 5.
Chairman of the Consolidated Forum,
Donald Edeo-ghon, while acknowledging
the damage done by activities of the group,
however expressed hope that the coalition
of the groups would help in checking crime
in the state.
He said: “If you remember, for over two
decades, inter-group conflicts, which often
resulted in violent and fatal crises, were the
attributes of EdoState communities.
“Innocent lives and property of inestimable
worth are destroyed on a whim.
“Armed robbery, kidnapping, thuggery and
sundry social vices rose to unprecedented
levels; it became dangerous to reside and
function legitimately in EdoState and in
particular, Benin.
“The situation looked bad, but then came
the platform of Rainbow Consolidated
Forum with a template for all seasons.”
Chief Igbe expressed joy at what he
witnessed and called on the groups not to
disappoint, saying “you know I am going to
brief the Oba on what I have witnessed
here today.”