By Ebinum Samuel
In a major crackdown on cult-related activities, the Edo State Police Command has arrested 16 suspected cultists across various parts of the state, recovering an assortment of weapons and illicit substances in the process.
Among the recovered items from the cultists were five firearms, 18 rounds of live ammunition, two battle axes, a fabricated pistol, cutlasses, and a vehicle. A bunker of “ice,” a known illicit drug, was also confiscated.
One of the key arrests includes 33-year-old Bello Salami, a confessed member of the Maphite Confraternity, allegedly involved in the killing of three vigilante operatives along Wire Road in Benin City. He was apprehended at the Benin Airport while attempting to flee the state.
Other suspects include, Abdulahi Eriamiator (18) and Moses Humphrey (25 years), both members of the Vikings Confraternity. arrested in Also arrested in
Aduwawa, Ahmed Hakeem (23 years) of the Aye Confraternity, whose arrest led to a sting operation in South Ibie, Etsako West LGA, resulting in the arrest of five others and the recovery of weapons and narcotics. Ogbe Osaghele (29 years), caught in Irrua with a cut-to-size shotgun and cartridges, Itua Odion (22 years), apprehended in Ekpoma with a pistol and two cartridges hidden in an unregistered Lexus RX 350. He confessed to being the Esan Zonal Leader of the Neo Black Movement (NBM), also known as Black Axe, Hamza Umoru (27 years), Emmanuel Udeh (27 years), Kalifa Kabir (24 years), and Ashiru Ahmed (22 years) were arrested in Auchi disguised as scrap scavengers with a concealed pump-action rifle, Jerry Orobor (50 years), arrested in Amagba, Benin, where police recovered a double-barrel shotgun, 10 cartridges, and a face cap bearing Aye Confraternity insignia.
Police say investigations are ongoing and all suspects will be charged to court soon as the Commissioner of police , Monday Agbonika, assures the residents of the security of their lives and property.