By MIKE OSAROGIAGBON
Benin City – At least, 71 suspected cultists were apprehended in coordinated raids carried out by operatives of Edo Police Command in Benin City at the weekend.
It was gathered that the clampdown was targeted at ending the ongoing cult-related killings that have claimed several lives in the state capital.
Our investigation revealed that the recently deployed Commissioner of police, Mr. Hakeem Olusegu ordered the raids in which area commanders, tactical teams and all DPOs within Benin metropolis were involved.
It was further scooped that out of the 71 suspects, 57 were released on bail after they were screened and profiled while 14 are still being interrogated.
The Oba Market area commander (ACP) Isa Danlandi coordinated the release of the suspects to their family members who besieged the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (SCIID) of the police command headquarters in Benin City, yesterday.
“You are all aware that youths are killing themselves in Benin, robbery and breaking of shops.
“Some of you have brothers who bring guns to the house but you don’t talk.
“The police carried out the raids so that you all can sleep with your eyes closed.
“We are not saying that those we are releasing now are not criminals but we do not have anything to use to hold them.
“Sign for them and make sure you bring them whenever we need them,” ACP Isa remarked.
He however told the suspects and their family members not to pay a dime as the essence was not to make money.
Some of the suspects who spoke with our reporter lauded the command for not commercializing the process having found them innocent.
Attempts to obtain comments from the Spokesman Edo Police Command, DSP Chidi Nwabuzor failed.
