The police command in Edo says it arrested seven suspected cult members on Sunday.
This was contained in a statement signed by a police spokeswoman Jennifer Iwegbu.

The police command on Friday arrested and presented seven cult members, allegedly members of Eiye and Aiye cults. Ms Iwegbu listed the suspects as Andrew Owhoyavwosa, 22, Joseph Meshak, 25, Osazee Solomon, 35, Godswill Obasohan, 25, Charles Odiase, 52, and Okoh Peter, 68.

They were arrested at the Ekiadolor sector within Ekowe community, while the seventh suspect was arrested at Igbe road in Auchi Etsako west LGA.

According to the police, the arrest is to check the menace and excesses of cultism in Edo and unnecessary killings in the state.

“On the 02/07/2022, operatives of Edo state police Command, Ekiadolor sector while on routine township patrol within Ekowe community and environs, intercepted some suspected cultists at the community youth house,” said the statement. “The suspects, on sighting the police operatives, took to their heels from the scene of their unlawful assembly. This action attracted the attention of the operatives and they gave them a hot chase which led to the arrest of the six suspects.”

The police added, “On the spot search conducted at the scene led to the recovery of two locally made single barrel guns, one locally cut to size single barrel gun, 30 live cartridges, one first aid box, Kolanuts, eggs, cowries, one dead chicken, seven handsets and cash sum of N37,000.”

In a related development, the statement explained that “operatives of the command in collaboration with local vigilantes on 03/07/2022, while on routine patrol along Igbe road in Auchi Etsako West LGA of Edo, intercepted a motorcyclist who was acting suspiciously.”

It added, “In an attempt to stop the rider by the operatives, he fired a gun shot in an attempt to scare the team of operatives to enable his escape but was subdued and arrested.”

The police statement further disclosed that on the spot search conducted on him led to the recovery of one locally-made cut-to-size single-barrelled gun, one live cartridge and other items.

According to the police, preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect belonged to the Vikings Confraternity.

(NAN)