AAU boils again as cult groups battle for supremacy

To many students of Ambrose Ali University, AAU, Ekpoma, the second semester of the 2011/2012 academic session is ill-fated. It was two weeks into the resumption when rival cult groups, the Black Axe Confraternity, popularly known as Aye and the Vikins clashed.

It was gathered that Black Axe men gunned down four members of Vikins as against one of their members at different areas in Ekpoma, Esan West Headquarters.

Sources alleged that the Vikins confraternity started it during last semester exams. The recent onslaught by the Black Axe on their rival cult group (Vikins) was said to be a reprisal attack.

Inside sources told our correspondent that the renewed attack began as a result of an argument between a suspected former member of the Vikins who is also alleged to be a member of the anti-cult group in the university with a Black Axe member which resulted into a quarrel that was  reportedly settled.

But unsatisfied with the settlement, Black Axe members were said to have mobilised and attacked members of the Vikins rival cult group, resulting to the death of the four students.

The source further disclosed that the Black Axe lost one of their men to the revenge mission of the Vikins at a Pepper Soup Joint in Ekpoma, where he was cooling down with his friends when a-four-man gang suspected to be members of Vikins stormed the place, shooting at the group. While others ran for their dear lives, the victim was unlucky.

Penultimate Tuesday when the information filtered out about the deadly clash, parents/guardians quickly asked their children/wards to return home for safety while others who were yet to resume for the new semester were asked to stay back.

The identities of the dead students were unknown as at press time. When contacted, the Public Relations Officer of the University, Sir. Chris Adamaigbo declined comment stating that there was no cult clash, let alone killing of students.
At the time of filing  this report,  it was learnt that the two cult groups have begun a peace negotiation.