Police arrest 23 suspects for cultism, kidnapping in Edo

The Edo police command says its operatives have arrested 23 suspects for cultism and kidnapping.

Umoru Ozigi, the Edo commissioner of police, said at a press conference in Benin, the state capital, on Friday that operatives acted on credible intelligence to apprehend the suspects.

Ozigi said 19 of the suspects were arrested at different locations for cult-related crimes, while four were nabbed for the alleged abduction of and sale of a seven-year-old girl.

He added that operatives also recovered various weapons, including nine pump action guns, three single barrel guns, two fabricated beretta pistols, and three fabricated cut-to-size guns.

Other items recovered according to him are 82 live cartridges, 14 expended cartridges, one battle axe, one gun muffler, and one Lexus ES 330 vehicle.

“On October 31, 2024, acting on credible intelligence, operatives of Raiders Squad stormed Iyekemuose Street, Benin City, and arrested one Osamudiamen James, 44 years old, with one pump action rifle and two live cartridges,” NAN quoted the police commissioner to have said.

“During interrogation, the suspect confessed to be a member of the Supreme Eiye Confraternity and led operatives to their armoury where one Omokaro Joseph, also known as Joe Best, who is in charge of the armoury, escaped arrest.

“One pump action, five live cartridges, 12 expended cartridges, and a gun muffler were recovered.

“Omokaro Joseph, 44, was later trailed and arrested on Nov.3. He also confessed to being a member of the Eiye confraternity.

“He further confessed to having sold guns to several individuals within Benin and its environs.

“Five pump action guns, three single barrel guns, and 18 cartridges were recovered through him.”

The commissioner of police noted that the investigation is still ongoing, adding that the suspects would be charged in court.

He thanked the residents of the state for providing the police with useful information that helped in the arrest of the suspects.