The Commissioner of Police in Edo State,CP Umoru Ozigi on Friday 15th November,2024 paraded nineteen susected cultists and four suspected kidnappers.
The Edo state Police Command also recovered nine pump actions gun,three single barrel guns,two fabricated barreta pistol,three fabricated cut to size guns,82 live catridges,14 expended catridges,1 Battle axe,I gun muffer,1 Lexus ES 330 vehicle .
CP Ozigi disclosed that the arrested suspected cultists are mainly members of Eiye,Black Axe(Aye),Buccaneers and Vikings members who have been terrorizing Benin city and its environs in recent times.
Parading the suspects,the Edo Police Boss explained that on 31/10/2024, acting on credible intelligence, operatives of Raiders Squad stormed Iyekemuose Street, Benin-City and arrested one Osamudiamen James 44yrs with one (1) pump action rifle and two (2) live cartridges.
During interrogation, the suspect confessed to be a member of the Supreme Eiye Confraternity and led operatives to their armoury where one Omokaro Joseph “aka Joe Best” who is in charge of the armoury escaped arrest. One pump action, 5 live cartridges, 12 expended cartridges and a gun muffler were recovered. Omokaro Joseph 44yrs (aka Joe Best) was later trailed and arrested on 03/11/2024, he also confessed being a member of the Eiye confraternity. He further confessed to have sold guns to several individuals within Benin and environs. Five (5) pump action guns, three (3) single barrel guns and eighteen (18) cartridges were recovered through him. Investigation is ongoing.
CP Ozigi revealed that on 03/11/2024 at about 1900hrs, Operatives of Jattu Division while on stop and search along Jattu/Ibie road intercepted one Promise Musa 24yrs riding an unregistered Hajoue Motorcycle, who upon interrogation confessed to be an active member of Vikings secret cult. Upon further interrogation, he led operatives to the residence of other cult members Lucky Adoga 27yrs and Joseph Osomhegbe 34yrs were arrested and two (2) locally made cut to size guns, three (3) live cartridges and one battle axe were recovered. They all confessed to be active members of Vikings secret cult and claimed to have bought the two recovered guns from one Kingsley Surname unknown residing at Okpekpe community, who had been on the Command’s wanted list. Efforts is ongoing to arrest other fleeing members of the gang.
Also,on 10/11/2024 at about 1120hrs, based on credible intelligence, Operatives of Anti-Cultism Unit arrested the trio of Nnamdi Mbanusi 43yrs, Ehis Albert 38yrs and Obazee Ogbe 39yrs, who were holding cult related meeting at an uncompleted building in Ogbe quarters, Benin City. On the spot search conducted on the suspects led to the recovery of six (6) live cartridges while other members of the deadly cult group escaped. The suspects confessed to be members of the proscribed Aye confraternity, also known as BLACK AXE. Investigation is ongoing.
On 12/11/2024 at about 1300hrs, Operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit while on stop and search along Benin-Agbor Road by-pass intercepted a Lexus 350 saloon car with Reg No. Abuja GWA 960 BP driven by one Chinedu Okuoliseh 27yrs. Upon interrogation, he confessed to be an active member of Eiye secret confraternity and led operatives to his residence located at Benin/Agbor Road bypass where one locally made beretta pistol was recovered. He claimed to have bought the said gun at the cost of ₦400,000 from a serving member of Nigeria Air Force. Investigation is ongoing.
The Edo State Police Chief stated that following a report by one Jacob Egharevba of Iguosa housing Estate Oluku, Benin city that his 7 months old granddaughter named Osamagbe Grace was abducted by her househelp in April, 2024. Operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping and Cyber Crime Unit, arrested one Rejoice Samuel Chukwu 24yrs and her boyfriend one Destiny Uchechukwu 28yrs at Peptic junction, Uyo in Akwa-Ibom state. The duo jointly abducted the victim and absconded, despite collecting a ransom of One Hundred and Sixty Thousand naira (#160,000.00k).
During interrogation, the suspects admitted to have sold the victim for Five Hundred Thousand Naira (#500,000) only, to one Doris Chiwendu in Owerri, Imo State. On 09/11/2024 at about 1240hrs, the said Doris Chiwendu and one Jane Amaigbo were arrested at Ubomiri area of Imo State, and the victim Osamagbe Grace now 1yr 2months old was rescued and reunited with her parents.
He said on 15/11/2024 at about 0500hrs, Operatives of Command Intelligence and Rapid Response Squad acting on credible intelligence at the disposal of the command swung into action and effected the arrest the following suspects; John Limoh 32yrs, Japhet Otaru 28yrs, Toluwani Emmauel 28yrs and Destiny Israel 22yrs. They confessed to be members of a notorious cult group Buccaneer confraternity who are known for terrorizing Comprehensive Road Off Warranke in Auchi LGA. Immediate search conducted at their houses led to the recovery of one (1) locally made Beretta Pistol and two (2) live cartridges. Investigation is ongoing.
The Commissioner of Police stated that all suspects will be charged to court upon completion of investigation.
CP Ozigi thanked the peace-loving people and residents of Edo State for cooperating with the Police by volunteering useful information to help in curbing the menace of criminal activities in the State.
