Posted by By Osaro Okhomina on
A CLASH involving three cult groups - Neo-Black Movement, also known as Black Axe, the Vickings and the Eiye Confraternities in the university town of Ekpoma in Esan West Local Government Area of Edo State yesterday, claimed the lives of seven students of the Ambrose Alli University (AAU),while about 10 others were injured.
BENIN CITY - A CLASH involving three cult groups - Neo-Black Movement, also known as Black Axe, the Vickings and the Eiye Confraternities in the university town of Ekpoma in Esan West Local Government Area of Edo State yesterday, claimed the lives of seven students of the Ambrose Alli University (AAU),while about 10 others were injured.
The authorities of the institution reacting to the development appealed for calm by the students and described the incident outside the campus as the handiwork of non-students. Many students fled the university town as the cult groups continued their bloody confrontation and killings.
The university main gate was also shut to check possible infiltration by the cultists while tight security was mounted by a combined team of Mobile Policemen and internal security network of the institution.
Vanguard yesterday gathered that the clash over a yet to be known issue, started with the killing of a member of the Black Axe around the Ujuolen area of the university town at about 5.00 p.m. on Sunday.
It was gathered that some of the Black Axe members later, launched a counter-attack on the residences of members of Vickings at Okpemu and Ndumebo areas, shooting dead three students in the process.
Eiye Confraternity got involved in the clash following alleged mistaken shooting of its member by the feuding Vickings and Black Axe. The involvement of the Eiye Confraternity led to the killing of two more students.
Contacted on telephone yesterday, the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the institution, Sir Chris Amadagbo, confirmed the clash but said the situation happened outside the campus of the institution and the Police had brought the situation under control. 'The situation is under control and the institution will start its examination in the next few weeks."
Attempts to contact the State Police Command Public Relations Officer, Mr. Peter Ogboi failed yesterday.