BENIN CITY – A 21-year-old suspected cultist has confessed to have fired the shot that killed one Abu Ibuje during the cult fracas that engulfed Benin City, recently.
The suspect, Lazarus Anthony was arrested with four others in connection with the gruesome murder of Abu Ibuje, a welder shot dead in his workshop at Eke Street, Off Upper Sokponba Road, Benin City on Monday, Apria 27, 2015.
He made the confession to Journalists when they were paraded at the Police Command headquarters, Benin City, Weekend.
“I am Aye man! Edoba told us that Abu Ibuje and his Eiye friends organized some Aluta men to kill our friend Kelvin, so a day after they killed Kelvin, Kelvin was Aye man (black-axe confraternity) we went and killed Abu because he killed my friend.
“I shot him with cut-to-size gun, this one, Grateman (pointing to another suspect) was there, he drove the vehicle”. Lazarus stated.
In a dramatic swift response, Grateman Ita said he does not know Lazarus from Adams as they have never met before until he led policemen to his shop where he was arrested.
“I don’t know him, I am from Akwa-Ibom, any length he wants to go in this case am ready to go with him, I don’t know him.
“I don’t even know how to drive, (pulling off his shirt to show Journalists the fresh marks on his back), look at torture! I don’t know how to drive, you can put me to test”. Grateman denied.
However, the suspect, Lazarus insisted that Grateman is a cultist and that he was their driver on that fateful day he killed Abu Ibuje.
“Oga! He is among, he is a cultist, they are many, we are going to catch the rest, let’s go and catch other people”. Lazarus insisted.
Others suspects paraded with Lazarus denied ever meeting him before until their arrest.
The suspects included Sylvester Ikhifa, Obiosa Noble and Okeh Gods’ time.
Five live cartridges, two Black Barrett caps and one black Samsung laptop were exhibits paraded along with them.
Commenting on their arrest, the spokesman, Edo Police Command DSP Stephen Onwochei stated that the suspects were apprehended on Thursday, June 11, 2015 following a tip-off.
He reaffirmed the command renewed war against cultism and other crimes.
DSP Onwochei added that the suspects would soon join the 227 suspected cultists recently remanded in prison by magistrate court in the state.
