Night of terror in Benin: Cult violence claims one life, leaves young man missing

A chilling tale of survival, violence and loss has emerged from the Aduwawa area of Benin City, where suspected members of the notorious Black Axe confraternity allegedly launched brutal attacks that left one man dead and another missing.

For Osemwengie Chris, what began as pressure to join a cult group quickly spiralled into a terrifying ordeal that has shaken residents of the community.

First Attack: Refusal to Join Cult Leads to Brutal Assault

According to eyewitness accounts, the first violent encounter occurred on March 30, 2023, when Osemwengie Chris was allegedly lured to his residence by individuals believed to be members of the Black Axe cult group.

A neighbour who witnessed part of the incident told our correspondent that the young man was severely beaten with dangerous weapons after refusing repeated attempts to force him into joining the confraternity.

> “They attacked him mercilessly because he refused to be initiated,” the neighbour recounted.

The brutal assault left Osemwengie with multiple fractures, bruises and dislocations, forcing him to spend weeks receiving treatment at a hospital.

The incident was later reported to the police by his uncle, Mr. Matthew Osifo, who had taken him in for protection following the attack.

But the report to the authorities did little to calm tensions.

Residents say threats from the cult group continued, creating an atmosphere of fear around the family.

Second Attack Turns Deadly

Tragedy struck barely six weeks later.

On the night of May 8, 2023, residents of College Road in the Aduwawa area of Benin City were jolted awake by the sound of sporadic gunshots around 11:00 p.m.

Neighbours say the gunfire came from the premises of Mr. Matthew Osifo, where Osemwengie had been staying since the first attack.

When frightened residents later gathered to find out what had happened, they discovered a horrifying scene.

Mr. Osifo was found lying in a pool of blood, having been fatally shot during the attack.

However, the whereabouts of Osemwengie Chris remain unknown.

Residents told our correspondent that despite frantic searches that night, there was no sign of him inside or around the house.

> “We only saw the uncle lying there. The young man was nowhere to be found,” a resident said.

As of the time of filing this report, it remains unclear whether Osemwengie escaped during the chaos, was abducted by the attackers, or suffered another fate.

Rising Cult Violence in Edo

Cult-related violence has continued to cast a dark shadow over several communities in Edo State, particularly in Benin City.

Groups such as the Black Axe and rival confraternities have been repeatedly accused of recruiting and forcibly initiating young men, often through threats and violence.

Community leaders say the situation has become deeply alarming.

Local sources estimate that between 100 and 200 youths may have lost their lives to cult-related violence in Edo State between 2021 and 2025.

Residents say the persistent attacks are robbing the state of many promising young people.

Calls for Urgent Action

Concerned residents and civil society groups are now calling on security agencies and human rights organisations to intensify efforts to dismantle cult networks operating in the state.

They warn that unless decisive action is taken, more young lives may be lost to what many describe as a destructive and senseless cycle of violence.

For the family of Matthew Osifo and the community of Aduwawa, the memory of that violent night remains painfully fresh—while the mystery surrounding the fate of Osemwengie Chris continues to haunt the neighbourhood