Edo Police Arrest Three for Cultism, Recover Weapons

The Edo State Police Command has paraded three suspected cultists in Benin City, alleged members of the Maphite confraternity.

According to a statement by the governor’s media aide, Crusoe Osagie, on Friday, Police Commissioner Funsho Adegboye identified the suspects as Eyefia Godbless (30), Imuetiyan Ewemade (30), and Emeka Okpaja (22).

The trio was reportedly apprehended in Ubiaza Community, Off Sapele Road in Benin City, where they were allegedly planning to avenge the killing of a fellow member.

“We have the full backing of Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun in the fight against cultism, and we are not joking with it,” Adegboye stated.

He added that Governor Godwin Obaseki and his executive team are also supporting efforts to rid the state of cultism and criminality.

The police recovered several items from the suspects, including an automatic pump-action gun, 11 live cartridges, three green berets, and a Maphite constitution.

The Commissioner reported that the suspects had made confessional statements affirming their membership in the cult group.

Adegboye emphasized the dangerous nature of the weapons seized, stating, “This is an automatic pump-action gun, as deadly as an AK-47, with a bullet that can kill several people, unlike an AK-47, which can kill just one person. According to the suspects, the gun was purchased for about N700,000.”

The Commissioner appealed to the youth to engage in profitable and positive activities, adding that crime, cultism, and internet fraud do not pay.

In addition to the three cultists, the police reported other recent arrests. These include five suspects apprehended at a cultist hideout along Siluko Road, where two pump-action guns, two locally made single-barrel guns, and 20 live cartridges were recovered.

In a separate incident, one Osayande Tony was arrested with a pump-action gun and two cartridges while driving a Mercedes Benz C300 saloon car.

The police also have in custody one Apalobi Daniel from Powerline, Ugbiyokho, Benin City, who allegedly strangled his wife to death during an argument. The suspect is expected to be charged in court soon.

“At the same Siluko Road, the Rapid Response Squad intercepted a Mercedes Benz C300 saloon car with registration number YAB 389 BG, driven by Osayande Tony, 48, and arrested him with a pump-action gun and two cartridges,” Adegboye added.

Adegboye further reiterated the commitment of the Edo State Government and the police, in collaboration with other security agencies and the press, to continue sensitizing the public about the dangers of cult groups and criminal activities.