Cultist Leader Evades Mob Justice in Benin City Amid Community Turmoil
The leader of the Eiye Confraternity escaped a mob’s wrath in Benin City following an attack on a social gathering. In a separate story, awardees recognized the contributions of CSP John Ladan to community safety, while Rivers State commenced the selection of health professionals for a national initiative. Meanwhile, the Nigeria Civil Service Union criticized the Supreme Court’s rulings concerning political instability in Rivers State, warning of the implications for governance.
In Benin City, Edo State, the leader of the Eiye Confraternity, known as Sam, narrowly escaped being lynched by a mob after his group attacked a social gathering. Members from a local vigilante group intervened, surrounding the cultists as local residents expressed their discontent over the gang’s longstanding criminal activities in the area. During the confrontation, the cult leader began to confess to various crimes committed by his gang, including a prior attempted murder of a man named Feraboy Scott. This attack stemmed from a personal vendetta related to an ex-girlfriend of the cult leader, who had previously been involved with Scott.
Feraboy Scott was severely injured in a 2017 attack carried out by the cultists, who had believed he was dating Jennifer, the leader’s former partner. Despite reporting the incident to the police, Scott continued to face threats from the cult, ultimately forcing him to leave the city. Fortunately, just as the mob prepared for retribution, security personnel arrived and swiftly evacuated the cult members in an unmarked vehicle, ensuring their escape from the aggravated crowd.
In a separate development, a non-governmental organization, South South Media Association, honored CSP John Ladan, the Divisional Police Officer of Omoku, for his significant contributions to crime reduction and community development. At the award presentation, Chairman Kio Hopeson emphasized Ladan’s open-door policy and effective community engagement efforts, which have fostered stronger cooperation between the police and local residents. In appreciation, CSP Ladan expressed gratitude to his superiors for their support and encouraged the community to view the police as allies in the protection of life and property.
Furthermore, the Rivers State Government, in collaboration with the World Health Organisation and other partners, commenced the screening of candidates for the National Health Fellows Programme. This initiative aims to address challenges within the health sector following President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s declaration of a health emergency in 2023. The programme seeks to enroll health professionals across local governments to enhance healthcare services nationally. Dr. Juliane Nwoke confirmed that 23 positions are set to be filled from 69 shortlisted candidates, focusing on essential competencies in public health and data management.
Lastly, the Nigeria Civil Service Union criticized recent Supreme Court rulings regarding Rivers State’s political issues, accusing the judiciary of failing to uphold the rule of law. They declared the rulings as unjust and detrimental to state stability, urging civil servants to support Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara against perceived political threats. The union’s chairman expressed that the Supreme Court’s actions have matured into a political crisis, further complicating the local governance landscape.
In summary, recent events in Benin City highlight rising tensions between local cult groups and community members, as well as significant administrative activities in Rivers State aimed at enhancing healthcare and maintaining law enforcement integrity. The ongoing developments reveal the complexities within local governance, public safety, and community relations in the face of growing crime and political challenges. The responses from both civil society and government entities underscore the importance of collaboration to ensure peace and order amidst such strife.
Original Source: www.thetidenewsonline.com
