Calm is gradually returning to the University of Benin. From what I
have been told, most members of the warring secret cults have gone into
hiding after attacks in the past few days.
The popular Guest House of the University of Benin, which usually
plays host to students who wish to relax, was empty on Saturday and
Sunday. A waiter, who requested anonymity, complained that they have
witnessed a serious drop in revenue because the students are scared.
This has been the biggest cult war that the institution has witnessed
recently, and while the officially confirmed death toll is six, rumours
have it that the true toll is more like twenty-two.
On June 14, a 200 level Mathematics student, Uche Emmanuel Alajemba,
popularly known as Snazzy, was shot in the head. The incident happened
at the University’s Sports Complex during a biometrics registration
exercise. According to eyewitnesses, the shooter calmly dropped the gun
afterwards and walked into the crowd before he could be identified.
Uche Alajemba, a.k.a Snazzy was shot in the head at the university’s Sports Complex
Snazzy was taken to the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH).
Most people that I spoke with alleged that he was a member of the Eiye
Confraternity. As of the time of filing this report, stories had started
making the rounds that he was not dead yet, but under protective police
custody while he recovers from his wounds at the UBTH.
What caused it?
The true reasons behind the current, bloody clash between the Black
Axe confraternity and their biggest campus rivals, the Eiye
confraternity, are still unclear. There are conflicting reports making
the rounds on the university campus.
The most common story is that a group of students who belong to the
Eiye confraternity went to collect some money owed one of their members
from a student who belonged to the Black Axe at his residence.
Unfortunately, the discussions got heated and the Black Axe member
went into his abode, returned with a double barreled gun and shot one of
the visiting men in the legs before they made away to regroup for a
retaliatory attack. No names were given for any of the participants in
this drama.
When I spoke to Osahon*, a Mechanical Engineering student, he was
convinced that this story was true, and that it was that event that
sparked the waves of killings.
“The Ake (Black Axe) boy bring im tools (Weapon) out just aim the boy
for leg when dem dey drag the money. Na so e take start. The Eiye boys
come go gather themselves return but dem no meet am, so dem just go im
friend house light (kill) am throway,” he said, preferring to speak in
pidgin English.
“That boy, Snazzy, wen dem shoot for sports complex, no even know say the war don spread reach like that before dem kill am.”
However, Sammy*, a Law student, holds a different view on how the war
began. He opined that the recent attacks are a retaliation for last
December’s clash between the two cult groups.
“The Black Axe confraternity felt shortchanged from the December
confra clash, but at the time they could not retaliate because governor
(Adams Oshiomhole) had already asked them to resolve the issue. So they
waited for everything to die down and then they now started attacking
the Eiye cult members,” Sammy said.
When I spoke to a few other students, most agreed with either one of
the two stories but a few came up with new theories of their own,
ranging from a disagreement over a girl, a bar brawl gone awry and a
clash over the recruitment of new members.
Speaking with the combatants
I made attempts to speak with members of both rival gangs and was
able to attract the attention of a member (he claimed to be an official)
of the Black Axe confraternity who opted to speak on condition of
anonymity.
The Official said that the rival groups are currently in negotiations
to address the issue and that all other things being equal, they should
resolve the issues in the coming days. According to The Official,
himself and his executive members are not in support of a war between
the two factions and that they would do everything possible to resolve
the crisis soon.
He also stated that the members of the Black Axe confraternity who
initiated the crisis would be sanctioned, and if found culpable of
inciting the crisis, they would be dealt with.
Silence in the ivory tower
The University of Benin has taken on a sombre mood and Ehis, an
Electrical Engineering student, hopes that lasting solutions would be
found to the recurrent crisis of cult clashes within the university, so
students who are not affiliated to any of these cult groups can continue
their studies unhindered.
The Faculty of Law, UNIBEN
“Walking into my house in Ekosodin has become a problem. I cannot go
out to read at night again because I am afraid of getting caught in the
crossfire. I wish the school can protect us students from the menace of
these people,” he said.
Latest events
Despite The Official’s claims, the battle is not showing signs of
abating. Governor Oshiomhole’s recent ban on the use of commercial
motorcycles in large swathes of Edo state has been interpreted in some
quarters as an attempt to reduce the violence. As of the time of
writing, locals say that 10 arrests have been made by the police, the
latest being a policeman who’s name the police have so far refused to
release. A short conversation with DSP Moses Eguavoen, the state’s
police spokesman confirmed that indeed some people have been arrested,
but no names were given.
In their official reaction though, the police in Edo state say that
measures have been put in place to stop the violence. Commissioner of
Police, Foluso Adebanjo, said that the Police is collaborating with the
Management of the University of Benin to curb the menace in and around
the campus.
“We are not relaxing at all. We are in search of the leaders behind
these killings. Already, we have arrested some persons in connection
with the crisis while others are on the run. The killings will stop
because policemen are all on the alert now,” Adebanjo said. “All
security agencies in the state are concerned. The governor is equally
concerned and residents of the state are concerned. So, we will not
relent in stopping this madness. It is very sad that people no longer
value human lives; it is sad.”
source: Telegraph
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