By Jude Ogbodo, Enugu
The death of Mr. Ifeanyi Joseph Onyeabor, a local businessman who was killed during an assault by members of the Junior Vikings Confraternity (JVC) on March 18, 2025, has instilled fear among his family members.
The incident occurred when cult members stormed Mr Onyeabor’s residence in search of his son, Daniel Chinemerem Onyeabor. According to a court affidavit sworn before the Enugu Notary Public Office by Daniel’s uncle, Mr Ugwuanyi Miracle Chigozie, trouble began after Daniel attempted to withdraw from the confraternity midway through his initiation.
The affidavit states that Daniel, then a secondary school student, was recruited into the group after facing persistent bullying that school authorities failed to address. The JVC initially provided protection but later introduced him to vices including smoking, and subjected him to a violent initiation process that nearly severed one of his veins – an injury Daniel concealed from his father by claiming it was from an accident.
The affidavit states that Daniel, then a secondary school student, was recruited into the group after facing persistent bullying that school authorities failed to address. The JVC initially provided protection but later introduced him to vices including smoking, and subjected him to a violent initiation process that nearly severed one of his veins – an injury Daniel concealed from his father by claiming it was from an accident.
As time passed, the group allegedly assigned Daniel dangerous tasks including drug distribution. When he disclosed his involvement to his father, Mr Onyeabor confronted the cult members and warned them to stay away from his son. In response, the group began targeting the family, destroying property and issuing threats.
Mr Onyeabor subsequently sent Daniel to Lagos to stay with his uncle while arranging for him to leave the country. Cult members traced Daniel to the Lagos residence, and when he was not found, issued threats against the uncle and the family.
On 18th March 2025, the JVC returned to the family’s Enugu home. When Mr Onyeabor intervened to stop them, he was attacked and critically injured. He was taken to Enugu State Teaching Hospital, Park Lane, where he was pronounced dead.
Daniel has since left Nigeria but faces threats of death if he returns to Africa, stemming from his disclosure of the group’s hideouts and activities to authorities. To date, no arrests have been made in connection with Mr Onyeabor’s killing.
In a recent development on March 15th, 2026, members of the same group returned to the family home and fired shots into the air. The incident was reported to the Enugu State Police Headquarters, and the family is appealing to the state government for assistance as fears for their safety continue to grow.
