No fewer than four persons have been reportedly killed following a renewed cult war between rival groups in Auchi, the Administrative Headquarters of Etsako West Local Area of Edo State.

A source stated that the victims were killed in different parts of the town during a violent clash between the Black Axe and Supreme Vikings confraternities.

The source said, “Four people have been killed since the crisis started last Saturday when a National Youth Service Corp member said to be a member of the Black Axe confraternity was shot by the rival Supreme Vikings Confraternity.

“The corp member was later rushed to the hospital for treatment and had since been discharged,” the source added.

It was also gathered that in a reprisal attack, a member of Vickings group was reportedly killed around Mr. Biggs in Jattu, Auchi, while three other victims were shot dead around Mechanic Site, Vacchi and Winners Road, all in Auchi.

However, there was a report on Friday morning alleging some lecturers of the Federal Polytechnic, Auchi to have abandoned invigilation of SPAT Examinations over their alleged involvement in cultism.

But in a quick response, the Assistant Public Relations Officer of the institution, Mrs. Adebola Ogunboyowa, debunked the allegations, maintaining that the school ended its SPAT examinations on Friday as students are expected to vacate hall of residence on Saturday.

She said: “The allegation is not true. But in the first place, whatever is happening, maybe the issue of cult clashes, nothing happened in the polytechnic.

“As I speak to you right now, I am in school and nothing is happening within the polytechnic community. Whatever is happening is outside the polytechnic, which are host communities, we have no power over it,” she said

When contacted on phone, the PPRO of the Edo State Police Command, Chidi Nwanbuzor, was busy.

(The PUNCH)

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