From Jefferson Ibiwale, Benin

Renewed cult clashes have claimed six lives over the last two weeks in Edo State.

For reasons that are unclear some rival cult groups went about hunting down perceived enemies and shattering what looked like a respite in cult war in the state.

A 500 level computer science student of the state-owned Ambrose Alli University, AAU, Ekpoma, Osagie Osamudiamen, believed to be the leader of one of the cult groups in the institution was allegedly gunned down in a popular hotel within the University town.

He was said to have been tricked into dislodging his aides who served as defence to him and lured to the hotel where he was shot to death at close range.

Also, a musician simply identified as Jonathan was reportedly killed in front of a hotel opposite the popular Ekiosa market near 3rd Junction in the state capital about four last week.

In the same mysterious manner, four other persons were reportedly killed at Upper Sakponba axis of Benin, around St. Saviour road, near Niger College.

Attempts to speak to leaders of the Rainbow Coalition, a body made up of leaders of the various secret cult groups in the state that have been championing peaceful co-existence among various secret cult groups in the state failed as calls made to their mobile phones were either not picked or did not connect at all.

Edo state Police command public relations officer, PPRO, Moses Eguavoen, a deputy superintendent of Police, confirmed the killings.

He said however, that his office was still expecting coordinated reports from the various divisional police officers whose areas of jurisdiction the killings took place.