Twelve suspected cultists have been arrested by operatives of the Edo State Police Command in a joint operation with the Edo State Security Corps (ESSC).
Police Public Relations Officer for the Edo State Command, Eno Ikoedem, in a statement on Monday, said the suspects were arrested on 7 May, at about 6:00 p.m. at Amazing Grace Estate, Elele Community, Uzairue, Auchi.
The police said the group had allegedly mobilised from Okpella to launch attacks on perceived rivals.
The arrested individuals are: Abiola Anabgaifo, 33yrs; Idogo Joshua, 28yrs; Oseni Sani, 22yrs; Aminu Abubakar, 19yrs; Iyamah Precious, 29yrs; Usman Rapheal, 29yrs; Ogene Jude, 31yrs; Ibrahim Aheem, 27yrs; Tunde Bright, 20yrs; Jude Edeh, 21yrs; Godwin Edeh, 19yrs; and Aigbona Clifford, 20yrs. All suspects are male, according to the police.
During preliminary investigations, according to the police, seven of the suspects confessed to being cultists and their cult-related activities, with some identified as members of the Aye and Vikings confraternities.
The operatives recovered a grey Mercedes-Benz Jeep with registration number GWA 471 DS allegedly belonging to one Balogun Isreal, who is currently at large.
“The Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, commends the swift response and professionalism of these Officers, stressing that the command will sustain its crackdown on cultism and violent crimes across the state.
“All suspects have been transferred to the Anti-Cultism unit and will be prosecuted upon the conclusion of the investigation,” the statement said.
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The command warned all criminal elements to either repent or leave Edo State, as it remains fully prepared to deal decisively with anyone threatening the peace and security of residents.
Related attack in Benin
On Sunday evening, around 6:00 p.m., gunmen suspected to be cultists shot dead an undergraduate student of the University of Benin, identified only as Alexander, and injured three others, including a female, in front of the Ugbowo campus along the Benin-Lagos road.
According to reports, the deceased was driving a GLK Mercedes-Benz out of the campus with two other occupants when a white, unregistered GLK Mercedes-Benz intercepted the vehicle.
Confirming the attack, the Edo State Police Command said one person died while three others sustained injuries in the accident.
