Less than four weeks after the #EndSARS protest was hijacked by hoodlums in Edo State, men of the Nigerian Army were said to have taken over suburban areas in the state, particularly Upper Sokponba area over the escalation of bloody clashes between two rival groups suspected to be cultists.
The heavy presence of the army was said to have been necessitated by the resurgence of cult-related activities that has led to no fewer than 15 deaths in the state.
The gunshots between the groups which has endangered innocent bystanders were reportedly fired at the Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) in charge of Area Command Benin in the early hours of Friday at Upper Sokponba axis.
The officer, who was said to be in the area to maintain law and order was rushed to an undisclosed hospital for treatment.
It was gathered that the presence of the army officers was visibly noticed at Erediauwa axis of the area.
It was further gathered that the army came in several operational vehicles to maintain law and order in the troubled areas.
On the number of persons that have so far died, it was learnt that about seven persons were killed yesterday at Erediauwa area, three on Thursday at Idogbo axis while four were yesterday (today) killed at the Isihor area.
The areas worst hit are Erediawa, three-house, Osariemen, Arbico, Idogbo areas in Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area; Ogida and Isihor axis of Egor LGA, and New Benin in Oredo LGA.
The escalation has also led to tension in the state with parents withdrawing their children from schools before closing hours while business owners shut down their shops for fear of being hit by stray bullets.
