By Uyi Osaretin
Fear has taken over many streets in Benin, Edo State, as cult-related killings continue to spiral out of control, leaving families shattered and communities living in dread. Some cult groups like the Neo Black Movement (NBM), widely known as Black Axe—have been consistently linked to the wave of violence that has turned once-bustling neighborhoods into blood-soaked battlegrounds.
On August 13, 2023, a family was thrown into unspeakable grief when a young man was gunned down at Upper Sokponba. He was not involved in any cult, not part of any conflict. He was just an innocent citizen caught in a growing storm of lawlessness.
Upper Sokponba: A Zone Under Siege
The Upper Sokponba axis has become infamous as a death zone. Streets such as Nomayo, Musheshe, Osakwe, and Jesus Christ Street have turned into operating grounds for cultists, where daylight killings and midnight shootouts have become frighteningly normal.
Residents say they live in constant fear, with cultists parading with weapons, targeting not only rival groups but also innocent bystanders. Schoolchildren, traders, commercial drivers—no one is truly safe.
Demolitions of Cult Strongholds
In response, the government has begun to take action. In recent months, several suspected cult enclaves have been demolished. Among them was the NBM Temple at Amagba, believed to be a ritual and planning center. Another infamous location, Bins Hotel on Ekenwan Road, was also taken down. Locals had long complained that it served as a meeting place and recruitment hub for cult group operatives.
Despite these crackdowns, many believe the efforts are too little, too late.
The Cult Empire Without Borders
What makes the cult groups particularly dangerous their vast and structured international network. While they continue to operate violently across every state in Nigeria, their influence stretches far beyond the country’s borders. Reports and investigations have linked them to criminal operations in Italy, Spain, France, and other parts of Europe.
These overseas chapters not only provide financial support to their Nigerian base but are also implicated in human trafficking, internet fraud, and organized crime.
Seeking Safety Beyond Nigeria
The consequences are now pushing some citizens to take desperate steps. With killings and abductions on the rise, many Edo youths are fleeing, seeking safety in other states or applying for asylum abroad, particularly in Europe. Some are now lobbying international human rights organizations for protection.
”Benin is no longer safe. We’ve buried too many children and brothers,” a community leader at Upper Sokponba told this blog. “If you see the way mothers cry at night, you’ll wonder if the government hears us at all.”
A Growing National Concern
Security experts warn that cultism in Nigeria is no longer a fringe issue but a national security threat. The entrenchment of these groups in local politics, businesses, and even some law enforcement structures makes them harder to uproot.
Until bold, coordinated actions are taken across all levels—local, national, and international—the killings may continue.
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