Police arrest suspected cultists in Edo 

The Police command in Edo says it has arrested seven suspects for belonging to a secret cult.

Chidi Nwabuzor, the command’s spokesperson, said suspects were arrested while the police officers at the Aduwawa station were conducting raids at hot spots in the area.

The arrest comes after the area has witnessed a series of cult violence and killings.

Nwabuzor said the suspects, who drove in a vehicle, had one laptop and a cutlass with them.

He said after interrogation, they confessed to being members of Black Axe, and have been involved in the recent cult fights and killings in the state.

The suspects are: Adodo Etiosa, Ogbeifun Destiny, Atohan Osazuwa, Enohiese Nelson, Okechukwu Samuel Omoruyi Friday and Osayande Ohbomwan.

Nwabuzor said one of the suspects, Osayande Ohbomwan, confessed that he and some of his members killed one Gideon Ojeaga in the Iguosa community.

He said the suspects would be charged in court, adding that others were arrested at Okhunmwun community by the police and vigilantes.

“Upon searching, a bag belonging to Ogbomwan, two locally made pistols, and six live cartridges were recovered,” he said.

However, Atohan Osazuwa denied belonging to any cult group or being involved in cult violence and killings.

“The police arrested us while we were going home and took us to the station, and when they searched our bag, they found a laptop and a cutlass, which my friend is using to work on his building site,” he said.

“We are surprised they brought us here, saying we are cultists and that we killed someone. We are not cultists, and we didn’t kill anyone.”