BY OSCAR OSARETIN

Edo State Police Command has recorded breakthrough in it’s determination to clear the State off any cult related activities and other social vices as it made significant arrest of about 50 persons involved in cult related activities as well as those involve in homosexuality and same sex marriage in the last two months.

The arrest was made across the State as nine persons including students were arrested in Ekpoma, Esan West Local Government Area, 11 in Benin City, Oredo Local Government Area, 15 in Idogbo in Ikpoba-Okah Local Government Area, seven in Evbuotubu Quarters in Egor Local Government Area and eight from Abudu in Orhionwon Local Government Area all in Edo State.

It was more than two months of intelligence and information gathering that led to the breakthrough in arresting significant numbers of persons from various cult groups terrorising the State and making it unsafe for the inhabitant.

Apart from cultism, kidnappers and robbery suspect arrested and paraded before newsmen at the police headquarters in Benin City, those involved in gay, lesbianism, and  same sex marriage were not speared as they were also paraded to expose their shameless acts.

The Police Public Relation Officer (PPRO) SP Nwanbuzor Chidiebere said “the arrest is a major breakthrough for the command especially the discovery of some service personnel of the force who were  alleged to be involved in homosexual activities.

“Amongst  whom are Inspector Rufus Dipo, a former police detective in the SIB before he was killed by some cult group during an operation that lasted more than 45minutes in Okada village last year. Also, a former member of the Special Police Units who is at large and identified as Sgt. Osarewinda Charles Ukoniwe”.

The PPRO said Ukoniwe has led several successful operations against cult groups in the state and was alleged to be secretly involved in the act of homosexual activities and uses his position to compromised several arrests of LGBTQ members. 

He noted also that Cpl. Dennis Asabogie, who was caught in the act of homosexuality  in a guest house in Ogida three weeks ago was arrested and dismissed from the force as he presently face prosecution. These are the few that are already exposed as some others are still being investigated. The force is determined to flush them all out.

According to the police spokes person, the command is committed to fish out anyone engaged in criminal activities in the state and beyond, be it cult related offences or any other criminal or social vices including homosexual activities, which is becoming rampant in the state.

Chidiebere noted that the involvement of Sgt. Charles Ukoniwe whose whereabouts is yet unknown has become a dent on the image of the Police Force but assured the general public that he will surely be arrested and made to face the law as discreet investigation is already on.

Speaking to our crime correspondent, one of the suspect who was identified as Rock and have been seriously beaten, in pain while speaking, said they have some police officers and politicians supporting their activities and alleged that Sgt.Osarewinda Ukoniwe was one of them.

He added that Sgt. Ukoniwe has been helping them invade arrest in several operations, given us useful information that kept us safe from the eyes of security agencies and the law but some times involves in our activities as friend to some of our members. He also, help connect members of our group to some people in government who are homosexual and interested in dating.

“He has been commended by the force for his success in various operations, including the investigation of several cult killing in Edo state as reported in the media, surprisingly he was secretly supporting gays and lesbians activities.

“He had some recommendation from the police command, but we know that his investigation in several cases are now in doubt due to the controversies that arose from it after the unfolding revelations of his involvement in gays activities”.

The source called on the police authority to ensure that, while fighting criminality outside, they should also look inward for criminal elements within the force and those who are secretly involve in any form of criminality or activities that is against the ethics of their job or profession should be arrested and prosecuted immediately in accordance with the law. 

The police command is highly positioned and well determined to expose anyone indulge in the act of cultism, kidnapping, homosexual and other social verses or give support to them in any form. ” We are committed in bringing those found wanting to justice through the law of the land”. 

The IGP and his team  are committed to cleaning up the force of any bad elements within and prosecute anyone found culpable or involve in any criminal act whatsoever in accordance with the law, as the force will no longer allow it’s men bring the reputation of Nigeria Police Force to disrupt. 

SP Nwanbuzor Chidiebere said “those who are sworn to protect and enforce the law can not been seen breaking it or working contrary as we sworn to protect and to defend the law at all time. Surely, Sgt. Osarewinda Charles Ukoniwe and his co-travellers will be brought before the law as investigation is seriously on the way to make this a reality”.