Edo Police Operatives Apprehend 16 Suspected Cultists, Recover Arms, Ammunition
The recovered arsenal includes five firearms, 18 rounds of live ammunition, two battle axes, a fabricated pistol, cutlasses, and a vehicle. Additionally, a stash of “ice,” a notorious illicit drug, was confiscated.
Among those arrested is 33-year-old Bello Salami, a self-confessed member of the Maphite Confraternity, who is accused of participating in the murder of three vigilante operatives on Wire Road in Benin City. Salami was captured at the Benin Airport while trying to flee the state.
Other notable arrests include Abdulahi Eriamiator (18) and Moses Humphrey (25), both affiliated with the Vikings Confraternity, and Ahmed Hakeem (23) from the Aye Confraternity. Hakeem's arrest triggered a sting operation in South Ibie, Etsako West LGA, leading to the capture of five additional suspects and the recovery of more weapons and narcotics.
Additional suspects include Ogbe Osaghele (29), who was found in Irrua with a cut-to-size shotgun and cartridges; Itua Odion (22), who was apprehended in Ekpoma with a pistol and two cartridges hidden in an unregistered Lexus RX 350, and claimed to be the Esan Zonal Leader of the Neo Black Movement (NBM), also known as Black Axe. Others, such as Hamza Umoru (27), Emmanuel Udeh (27), Kalifa Kabir (24), and Ashiru Ahmed (22), were caught in Auchi while posing as scrap scavengers with a concealed pump-action rifle. Jerry Orobor (50) was arrested in Amagba, Benin, where police seized a double-barrel shotgun, 10 cartridges, and a cap displaying the Aye Confraternity emblem.
CP Agbonika stated that investigations are ongoing, and all suspects will be brought to court shortly. Commissioner also reassured residents of their safety and security.
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