Residents of Ewatto in Edo State have issued an urgent appeal for government intervention after alleged attacks by members of the Aro Berger confraternity left the community in chaos, forcing families to abandon their homes and seek shelter in nearby bushes for fear of their lives.
The crisis erupted following a confrontation between the confraternity and local vigilante personnel, which reportedly resulted in the death of a leader of the Aro Berger Confraternity.
According to multiple accounts, the vigilante group attempted to arrest the confraternity leader on Sunday, August 23, 2026, over a disturbance that occurred within the community the previous day.
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“The Aro Berger members went on rampage after their leader was killed during a clash with the local vigilante group who wanted to arrest him,” a resident of the community recounted.
“He resisted arrest and attacked those who came to arrest him, and was injured by a vigilante member in the process. He succumbed to his injuries.”
The situation escalated dramatically when members of the confraternity, allegedly led by the deceased cult leader’s younger brother identified as “Shege,” launched coordinated revenge attacks across the community.
“Following their leader’s death, the confraternity members stormed the community and killed the Edo Security Network official who injured their leader. They have also been on rampage, forcing residents to flee into bushes,” the resident added.
The ongoing violence has created an atmosphere of terror and uncertainty, with many residents unable to safely remain in their homes. The cult members are reportedly vowing to eliminate every vigilante member to avenge their leader’s death, while also attacking anyone they encounter.
“The confraternity members are vowing to kill every member of the vigilante group to avenge their leader’s death. They are also on rampage attacking anyone they see. We are no longer staying in our homes,” one affected resident said.
The Edo State Police Command has confirmed receiving a distress call on Sunday concerning an attack on an Edo State Security Network personnel, Martins Enahoro, in Ewatto.
According to a statement issued on Monday, preliminary investigations indicate that Enahoro was attacked by suspected members of the Aro Berger confraternity, including individuals identified as Gbozia and Gezo, whose surnames were not immediately known.
The confrontation resulted in Enahoro stabbing one of the alleged attackers, identified as Gbozia, while attempting to defend himself. Enahoro subsequently sustained multiple cut injuries.
The Standard Gazette reported on Tuesday, 25 August, that both men were rushed to God’s Will Hospital, Ewohimi, where they were confirmed dead by the doctor on duty. Their remains have been deposited at the mortuary pending further investigation.
The police statement detailed: “In a separate incident at Ewatto, at about 12:20hrs on the same date, the command received a distress call reporting an attack on an Edo State Security Network personnel, Martins Enahoro, by suspected members of the Aro Berger confraternity, including persons popularly known as Gbozia and Gezo (surnames unknown), among others.”
Four suspects have been arrested in connection with the Ewatto incidents, two of whom have reportedly confessed to belonging to the Vikings and Aiye confraternities.
All suspects have been transferred to the Area Command Headquarters for further investigation, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend other fleeing suspects.
Combined with the 11 suspects arrested over the Sobe incident, the total number of arrests linked to the two incidents stands at 15.
Despite the arrests, residents continue to appeal for an increased security presence in Ewatto, stating that the continued attacks have left them unable to safely remain in their homes.
The community members have urged the authorities to act swiftly to prevent further loss of life and restore normalcy to the community.
They have called for both immediate security intervention and long-term measures to address the threat posed by cult activities in the area.
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