Cult groups in Edo
State have come together in an alliance against the increasing rate of
kidnappings, armed robberies and other violent crimes in the state.
At the summit, the
groups, which came together under the aegis of Rainbow Consolidated
Forum said they were not satisfied with the spate of violent crimes and
insecurity in the state and vowed to fight the situation.
Some of the
fraternities at the summit included the Green Circuit (a.k.a Maphites),
Norsemen (aka Vikings), Black Axe, Eiye confraternity, Family Fraternity
of Nigeria and Avarian Organization of Nigeria.
Governor Adam
Oshiomhole, Oba of Benin, the Edo State Commissioner of Police, the
State Security Service, and the Commandant of the National Security and
Civil Defence Corps sent representatives to the summit of the cultists.
While acknowledging
the damage already done by the activities of the cult groups in the
state, the chairman of the Rainbow Consolidated Forum, Donald Edeoghon,
said he hoped that their coming together to fight armed robbers,
kidnappers and perpetrators of other violent crimes in Edo would yield
good results.
He said, “If you
remember, for over two decades, inter-group conflicts which often
resulted in violent and fatal crisis were the attributes of Edo State
communities. Innocent lives, properties of inestimable worth are taken
and destroyed on a whim. Armed robbery, kidnapping, thuggery and sundry
social vices rose to unprecedented levels; it became dangerous to reside
and function legitimately in Edo State, and, in particular, Benin
City.”
“Various efforts
were made by various groups to check this disturbing trend. Some were
sincere while others were not. They failed because their focus was
eradicating inter-group conflicts, whereas conflicts are integral part
of all human societies. The situation looked bad, but then came the
platform of Rainbow Consolidated Forum with a template for all seasons.”
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