The Police in Edo State has arrested 12 suspects for their alleged involvement in cultism and armed robbery in the state.
The command’s spokesperson, Chidi Nwabuzor, in a statement, said the command’s Anti-Kidnapping and Cyber Crime Unit arrested 12 suspected members of Eiye Confraternity at Uza Street, Esigie, Benin City.
According to him, the suspects were arrested whehen the police stormed the venue of their meeting, where they were planning on how to attack a rival cult.
Nwabuzor gave the names of the suspects as Ama Success (19), Odion Sunday (23), Elinana Omon (23), Famous Prosper (23), Joseph Ikehinde (22), Junior Uwadia (22) Cyrillic Omonhe (20), Charles Friday (30), Uyi Ewansiha (33), Ibrahim Abdulmalik (22), Uyi Okogiewe (19); and Ogbonna Maduabuchi (30).
One of the suspected cultists, who spoke to journalists, said he joined the Eiye cult because of oppression from other rival cult groups.
He noted that “I joined a secret cult because of oppression. Young boys like me used to collect my belongings from me on the street, so I decided to join to stop the oppression but now, I regret joining the secret cult.”
Meanwhile, another suspect, Emeka Ogwu was arrested for allegedly stealing cables belonging to the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC).
The command’s spokesperson said Ogwu was arrested following a distress call along the Upper Mission/Upper Lawani axis, Benin City.
He said the suspect and one other were seen vandalising armoured cables belonging to BEDC in their community.
But the suspect was arrested while his accomplices are still at large.
He said the armoured cable that was cut into sizeable pieces was recovered from the suspect.
