Tension in Mosogar as suspected cultists kill anti-cult member during meeting

Panic has gripped Mosogar Community in Ethiope West Local Government Area of Delta State following the brutal killing of a serving Anti-Cult member under the Sapele Police Command, identified as Joshua Umukoro, during a cult clash on Sunday, October 12.

According to reports, Umukoro was attacked and stabbed to death by suspected cultists while attending a meeting in the town. One other member of the group was left critically injured and is currently receiving treatment at an undisclosed hospital, while another narrowly escaped the assault.

When contacted, the Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, said the incident was “not yet confirmed.”

Residents say tension has escalated in Mosogar, with several people fleeing the community out of fear of renewed attacks.

Confirming the incident, a cousin of the deceased, Comrade (Dr.) Efemena Umukoro, a human rights activist, said he had warned Joshua not to attend the meeting after receiving threats from the same group. He explained that the suspected cultists had vowed to kill his cousin because he was using his Anti-Cult team to arrest their members and hand them over to the police.

Efemena said he advised Joshua to postpone the meeting, but he refused, insisting on going. On arrival, he was ambushed and stabbed in the neck by strange faces. Another member of the group was critically injured, while one person managed to escape.

He dismissed claims circulating on social media that his cousin was a cultist, describing the late Joshua as a committed Anti-Cult volunteer and community activist. According to him, Joshua dedicated his time to fighting cult-related violence in Mosogar and had previously led protests when the community suffered a prolonged power outage. His activism helped restore electricity to the town after a transformer was installed following the protest.

Efemena further revealed that Joshua and his Anti-Cult team once tracked down suspected criminal herdsmen allegedly responsible for attacks on women and residents in nearby forests and handed them over to the police.

He alleged that the sponsors behind the ongoing cult crisis in Mosogar are influential and wealthy individuals, adding that his family has received threats for their continued activism.

He appealed to the Delta State Police Command, led by CP Olufemi Abaniwonda, to ensure that the perpetrators are brought to justice, describing the Commissioner as a gallant officer who has not failed the people of Delta State.