By MIKE OSAROGIAGBON
Determined to end the spate of cult-related killings in Benin City, the operatives of Edo State Police Command have apprehended 16 members of various cult groups alleged to be involved in the ongoing killings in the state capital.
Also, the command in synergy with vigilante groups in the state has rearrested 18 escapees from both Nigerian Correctional Service, Medium/Maximum Security Custodial Centres, Sepele road and Oko, attacked during the hijack of #EndSARS protest in Benin City on Monday, October 19, 2020.
Some of the suspected hoodlums who unleashed carnage on some police stations during the violence have also been arrested and two AK-47 rifles recovered from them.
A total of 14 suspected armed robbers were among the 48 persons paraded for cultism, jailbreak/police stations’ attack.
The Commissioner of police in Edo State, Johnson Babatunde Kokumo paraded the suspects and exhibits before journalists at the state police command headquarters in Benin City on Wednesday.
CP Kokumo stated that the suspects’ arrest followed intelligence reports and synergy between security agencies and local vigilante group in the state.
The police boss stated that operatives of the command have launched a manhunt for members of the cult groups terrorizing residents of the state, vowing to deal decisively with any of the unrepentant cult groups and their patrons in the state.
Some of the suspects narrated their involvement and ascribed their criminal activities to the handiwork of the devil.
Other items recovered from them included cut-to-size guns, locally made pistols, Toyota Yaris Salon car, Highlander SUV and 21 live cartridges.
