Why we became members of occult group - University students reveal

Four notorious cultists terrorizing Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Delta State University Abraka and its environs have been arrested by the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad.

The cultists, whose names were given as Enahoro Benedict Lucky, 21; a.k.a Freshboy, Ekinedo Odion, 29, aka overdose, Emmanuel Iluore, 24; aka Gayo, 24; and Dennis Isehomen, 28, were arrested following cultism related activities which led to the murder of two students in September, 2015.

In an interview with Vanguard, the suspects revealed what caused them to join a cult and the activities their cult has been involved in.

Enahoro Benedict Lucky: "I am from Igueben Local Government Area of Edo State. I am a 400 level electrical/electronic engineering student of Ambrose Ali University, Ekpoma. I was actually forced to join a secret cult named Vikings, a.k.a Arobarja, when I was in 200 level. I was initiated by a friend, Sammy Salami near Faith Baptist Church, Uleme. Last year, a member of our cult group called Brutus was killed by Aiye confraternity at Ukpenu, later our group retaliated by killing a member of Aiye. I was with two of my friends when I was arrested at Lovereal Gardens in Ekpoma. I was arrested, while others escaped."

Ekinedo Odion: "I am from Uromi in Esan North-East Local Government Area in Edo State. I was arrested in Good Shepherd Hotel, Ekpoma. I became a member of Jures cult while I was in Rivers state. Later, I was initiated into Black Axe in 2013 after I gained admission into Ambrose Alli University in 2013. Members of my cult group have killed several persons from a rival cult gang; they killed three Aiye cult members within Ekpoma and its environs."

Emmanuel Iluore: "I am a final year student of Ambrose Alli University, AAU. I was initiated into Vikings cult group in 2006 by a friend called Endurance, a.k.a Wizard. In 2013, the former leader of the gang, named Bobo, handed over the leadership of the cult to me after I paid N35, 000 to him. In November 2014, I became the gang’s number one man; I led the gang for about a year before I handed the mantle of leadership to one Kalif. The cut-to-size single barrel gun belonging to the cult used for operations was recovered by the police in Ben’s house in June 2015. It was Wisdom, the number one man of Black axe that killed Brutus sometime in 2014.”

Denis Iseghohimen: "I attended Ambrose Alli Primary School. I was arrested at Rainbow Hotel at Ileh, along Idialu Bennington. I was initiated on September 26, 2013 in Delta State University Abraka. Vincent is our gang number and he is in possession of our operational weapon which includes a locally made gun and battle axe and regalia. I was among the people who killed a member of Aiye confraternity cult called Tilo, while Manfight killed Idohu in retaliation."

Efforts are ongoing to apprehend the gang’s armourer, Sammy Salami, who is currently at large.