Edo State Police Command has paraded suspected cultists in its renewed efforts to stem the menacing spate of cult-related violence in Benin City, the Edo State capital. Arms and ammunition were also paraded as exhibits recovered from some of the suspects.
The suspected cultists were paraded along with others nabbed for alleged involvement in crimes ranging from conspiracy, attempted murder, advanced fee fraud to unlawful possession of weeds suspected to be Indian hemp.
Spokesman for Edo State Police Command SP Chidi Nwabuzor paraded the suspects before journalists at the police headquarters, Benin City, Tuesday.
According to SP Chidi Nwabuzor, the arrests followed credible intelligence at the disposal of operatives of the command and conduct of random stop-and-search operations.
“On 21/01/2024 at about 2225hrs, the operatives of Esigie Division, Benin City, received credible information that hoodlums suspected to be cultists accosted and shot one person along Igun Street, Benin City. Immediately, the police mobilized to the area, sighted one unregistered Mercedes Benz GLK 350 Jeep with two passengers, chased the suspects, arrested one of them CLINTON IYEN ‘M’ 27 years and recovered the vehicle. The victim was taken to the hospital where he was confirmed dead and his body deposited at the hospital for autopsy. Efforts are on to arrest the fleeing suspects.
“On 22/01/2024 at about 0830hrs, the operatives of Anti-Cultism Unit while on stop and search duty along Okabere Street, Off Upper Sakponba Road, Benin City, intercepted one Lexus RX350 Jeep with fake number plates of National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) and arrested the driver one Martins Uwaifo ‘M’ 29 years who made statement and confessed to being a member of Vikings secret cult confraternity. Investigation has commenced, and the suspect will soon be in court.
“On 21/01/2024 at about 1330hrs, the operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping and Cyber Crime Unit, while conducting stop and search duty along Benin Bye-pass intercepted a vehicle with four men, namely: Kola Demu ‘M’ 23 years; Ehibor Unity ‘M’ 28 years; Izedomwen Elvis ‘M’ 33 years, and Agbontaen Victor ‘M’ 36 years. Suspect Ehibor Unity made a statement and confessed to being a member of Aiye secret cult confraternity, while the other three suspects made statements and confessed to being members of Maphite secret cult confraternity. They will soon be in court,” the police spokesman stated.
SP Nwabuzor stated further that a stop-and-search operation conducted opposite Oluku Primary School, Benin City, by operatives of Ekiadolor Division led to the arrest of a suspect and recovery of live cartridges as efforts are on to apprehend other fleeing members of his gang.
Speaking on their arrest, some of the suspects admitted the crime while others claimed to be innocent.
