27th January, 2016
Jethro Ibileke/Benin
Forty-six members of seven cult groups who have been on the rampage in Benin City, capital of Edo state, have been arrested by operatives of the state command of Nigerian police.
Two of the suspects were arrested at the city centre, otherwise known as Ring Road, by eagle-eyed policemen who were on surveillance duty.
The suspects who allegedly confessed to be on a revenge mission, were spotted by the police operatives with a black bag and were stopped.
Following a search conducted on the men, two locally made cut-to-size, double barrel guns and some live cartridges were recovered from them.
It was gathered that the suspects confessed to the police that they were on a revenge mission to assassinate one Osas near Urhokpota Hall around the King’s Square.
Confession of the suspects was said to have led to the arrest of the 46 other suspects when policemen stormed their hideouts.
Police sources said the move was to checkmate the resurgence of cult activities which has led to some killings in the state.
The suspects were said to be members of seven different secret cult groups in the state who are said to be currently at war with one another in some parts of Benin City which has led to the death of over four persons in the last two weeks.
The state police command spokesperson, DSP Abiodun Osifo who confirmed the arrest of the suspects, assured that the police would continue with the onslaught on criminals in the state.