Notorious Cultist Kills Anti-Cult Member In MOSOGAR, DELTA 

By Osaro Michael, Benin

Tension has gripped Mosogar community in Ethiope West Local Government Area of Delta State following the gruesome killing of a serving Anti-Cult member under the Sapele Police Command, identified as Joshua Umukoro, during a suspected cult attack on Sunday, October 12. The incident, which left one person critically injured while another narrowly escaped, has thrown the town into panic, forcing several residents to flee for safety.

According to reports, Umukoro was attending a meeting in the community when the assailants, believed to be cult members, stormed the venue and attacked him. He was said to have been stabbed multiple times, including a deep cut to the neck, leading to his death on the spot. The injured victim is currently receiving medical treatment at an undisclosed hospital, while security operatives have yet to make any arrests in connection with the killing.

When contacted, the Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, stated in a brief message to The News Parrot’s correspondent that the case was “not confirmed yet.” However, sources within the community revealed that the attack may have been a reprisal linked to ongoing cult clashes that have claimed several lives in Mosogar in recent months.

Speaking to journalists in Warri, Comrade (Dr.) Efemena Umukoro, a human rights activist and cousin to the deceased, confirmed the incident, describing his late relative as a courageous and committed Anti-Cult volunteer who had worked tirelessly to rid the community of cult-related violence. “I was supposed to be at that meeting, but I declined,” he said. “These boys had been threatening him because he was using his Anti-Cult group to arrest their members and hand them over to the police. They saw him as a stumbling block and vowed to eliminate him.”

Efemena recounted that he had advised Joshua to postpone the meeting after receiving threats, but the deceased insisted on attending. “He was ambushed when he got there. They stabbed him in the neck. Another member of the group was seriously injured, and one person managed to escape,” he narrated emotionally.

Dismissing social media claims that the deceased was a cultist, Comrade Umukoro clarified that Joshua was a peace advocate and community leader. “I want to correct the false narrative online. My cousin was not a cultist. He was a committed Anti-Cult member who worked closely with the police to arrest criminals and restore peace in Mosogar,” he said.

He also recalled that the late Umukoro had previously led a peaceful protest three years ago when Mosogar was thrown into total darkness due to power failure. “During that protest, he was arrested, but after my intervention with the then Commissioner of Police, he was released. Eventually, we secured a new transformer, and the community regained power supply. That’s the kind of person he was fearless and passionate about justice,” he added.

Comrade Umukoro further disclosed that the deceased had recently participated in operations that led to the arrest of suspected Fulani herdsmen accused of terrorizing the area and killing innocent residents. He accused wealthy individuals of sponsoring cult violence in the community, adding that both he and his late cousin had been receiving threats.

“We’re not suspecting anyone for now, but we trust the police under CP Olufemi Abaniwonda to investigate and bring those behind this gruesome murder to justice,” he stated. “The Commissioner is a gallant officer who has always delivered justice in Delta, and we believe he won’t let this case be swept under the carpet.”

Meanwhile, fear and uncertainty continue to grip Mosogar as residents call for increased police presence to prevent further violence. The tragic killing of Joshua Umukoro has once again drawn attention to the rising wave of cult-related violence in Delta communities.