BENIN CITY-Police in Benin have apprehended a popular bar owner over alleged involvement in the ongoing cult-related killings in the state capital.
The alleged cult kingpin is said to be the Managing Director (MD) of a popular multimillion Naira bar along Sonkponba road in Benin City.
The arrests a month after the acting Commissioner of Police in Edo State CP Hakeem Odumosu vowed to clampdown on sponsors of cult groups in the state.
CP Odumosu made the pledge when he paraded 88 suspected criminals 54 of whom were cultists alleged to have be involved in the cult-related killings including that of a policeman Sgt Osio Monday Ehigie at Nomayo junction, Upper Sakponba road in the state capital.
Checks revealed that Operatives of the Anti-cultism unit of the Edo State Police Command effected his arrest last Wednesday after a suspected cultist in police custody mentioned him as a cult leader in his confessions.
Our reporter’s investigation revealed that some prominent individuals in the City have been thronging the police command Headquarters in an effort to secure his bail.
Insider source hinted that investigation was yet to link him with the suspect’s allegation at press time yesterday.
Further checks revealed that the suspect who confessed implicated bar MD had given viral information which is currently resulting in the arrest of persons alleged to be key members of warring cult groups in the state.
No fewer than 87 suspects have been apprehended and currently under interrogation at the command headquarters.
The Public Relations Officer for Edo Police Command DSP Chidi Nwabuzor said the command would not relent in its fight against cult-related killings and all sundry crimes.
He said the renewed cult war subsided lately due to combined efforts of other sister security agencies billed for presidential and parliamentary elections.
It will be recalled that several persons most of whom in their prime have been killed in cult-related killings currently ravaging the state capital.
