In a chilling revelation, Ahmed Bawa Anavberokhai, a resident of Benin City, has come forward to petition the Divisional Police Officer and Area Command of Auchi Police Division over alleged threats to his life and family by members of the notorious Ogboni confraternity.
The Ogboni confraternity, a secretive and influential group with roots in Yoruba tradition, has been linked to various illicit activities, including ritual killings, extortion, and intimidation.
Its members are known to wield significant power and influence in Nigerian society.
Speaking with our correspondent, Anavberokhai said his troubles began after his father's death on October 20, 2022.
He explained that members of the Ogboni confraternity, who had allegedly inducted his father into their ranks, started pressuring him to take his father's position within the group.
"They claimed I knew too much about their activities and had to join them. But I refused, knowing the evil they're capable of," Anavberokhai recounted.
He, however, lamented that the refusal, came at a price which allegedly led to the confraternity members burning down his shop and claimed responsibility for the disappearance and presumed death of his mother-in-law on November 15, 2022.
He added, "They said that I have to take my father's position, because I know all their activities, but I refused to join them. Since then, they have been threatening my life, my shop was burnt down and they told me that they are the ones who did it.
"They are forcing me to take my father’s place and threatening my life and that of my family. Inside the threat I have lost my mother -in-law since 15/November/2022, and they claim responsible for her missing."
Despite relocating to Benin City in search of safety, Anavberokhai said the confraternity members tracked him down to his residence on June 12, 2024.
He lamented, "My major fear is that anything I do they are always aware, imagine I left our community to Benin City where I recently live and they still came to my house on June 12 2024, they told me that, if I don't join them, they will kill all my family members and me.
"They openly told me the only way they will leave me not to take my father space is when they take my life and that of my family, and they said the time is now!
"Knowing their activities and what they’re capable of doing in our society today, I’ll have to petition the DPO and the area command in Auchi police division for doing nothing about my several reports and also tell the general public to know if anything happen to me and my family, they know the people to be hold responsible."
As Anavberokhai pleads for protection and justice, his story serves as reminder of the dangers posed by secretive and influential groups like the Ogboni confraternity.
"I just want to live in peace with my family. I am begging the authorities to intervene before it's too late," Anavberokhai said.
Anavberokhai's account is not an isolated incident. Reports of Ogboni confraternity's involvement in violent crimes and intimidation have been documented in various parts of Nigeria.
Human rights activists have long called for increased scrutiny of the group's activities, citing concerns about its impact on public safety and the rule of law.
The Edo State Police Command has been contacted for comment, but no response has been received at the time of filing this report.
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