Violence Erupts at Eku Community Festival, Three Dead

On September 21, 2026, during the annual traditional festival of the Eku community in Ethiope East Local Government Area, three young men were shot dead, and five others sustained injuries. The violence erupted around 8:30 pm, with videos and photographs of the aftermath circulating online, escalating tensions within the community.

Sources from the Urhobo community suggested that the shootings were linked to an alleged supremacy dispute between rival groups vying for territorial control. However, it remains unconfirmed whether the victims were affiliated with any group or if the violence was cult-related.

Eyewitness accounts indicated that residents were enjoying the festivities at local drinking spots in Osuere when the violence began, triggered by a phone call informing one individual that a member of his group had been shot.