BY MIKE OSAROGIAGBON
Benin City, Nigeria – Operatives of Edo State Police Command have arrested four suspected cultists in Benin City in a move to end the ongoing cult clash.
The police command therefore warned against incessant cult-related killings so far recorded in Benin City in the last 24 hours.
The command stated this in a statement signed by its Deputy Public Relations Officer, ASP Jennifer U. Iwegbu and made available to journalists in Benin City, today, July 1, 2022.
“The Edo state Police Command warns residents of the State, especially Benin-city to stop incessant Cult killings as recorded in the last 24 hrs.
“The Command’s Crack team and Anti-cultism unit has been directed to immediately start investigation into the ugly trend.
“To this end, suspects have been arrested by the police joint team and they are co-operating with the Police with useful information”. The statement noted.
It was further stated that the Commissioner of Police in Edo State CP Abutu Yaro has ordered massive deployment of operatives towards restoring peace in the state.
The statement explained that the command’s resolve to bring perpetrators of the dastardly act to justice led to the arrest of the four suspects awaiting arraignment soon.
“The 4 suspects arrested are; 1. Esosa Eregborowo M aged 35yrs, 2. Frank Obazee M aged 34yr arrested at Iguosodin Community Upper Siluko Road Benin City, they confessed to be members of the dreaded Eyie confraternity. 3. Minister Godwin M aged 18yrs. 4. Jeremiah Timothy M aged 22yrs arrested at Eweka by Siluko Road, Benin City. They confessed to be members of dreaded Aiye confraternity”. It added.
The Commissioner of Police who commiserated with the bereaved families assured the good people of Edo State of the Command’s unrelenting efforts in ensuring that there is no hiding place for criminals.
However, the Edo State Police Command through its Public Relations Officer SP Chidi Nwanbuzor paraded seven suspected cultists including the four persons arrested in connection with the ongoing killings in Benin City.
All the suspects denied membership of any cult group.
Meanwhile, a Criminal Court sitting in Benin on Friday July 1, 2022 remanded the seven suspects, namely, Esosa Eregeorowo, Frank Obaze, Ministrer Godwin, Jeremiah Timothy, Jimoh Lasisi, Osasu Idehen and Idehen Marvis when they were arraigned for conspiracy to commit murder and membership of an unlawful society.
Ruling on an application motion brought before Hon. Justice Efe Ikponmwonba, sitting in Criminal Court 1, Benin City, by police prosecutor, the court ordered that the suspects be remanded at the Oko Correctional Centre in Benin City, pending legal advice from the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, Edo State.
