28th April, 2024
By Jethro Ibileke
Seven persons have been arrested by operatives of Edo State Police Command over alleged involvement in cult-related killings in Auchi and its environs, in Etsako West local government area of the State.
Their arrest was sequel to the breakout of violent attack between Aye, (Black Axe group) and Eiye secret cult confraternities on Thursday, 18 April, 2024 at South-Ibie, Etsako West local government.
The Command while announcing the arrest on its verified X handle, (formerly Twitter) said that the suspects are members of Black Axe and Eiye groups.
According to the Command, in one incident, a man identified simply as Umoru, was shot dead by some members of Eiye cult group at the Campus gate of Auchi Polytechnic.
It was gathered that a member of the Aye secret cult, reportedly received a phone call from one of his cult members who want to carry out an attack on the late Umoru, that he should leave immediately.
The killing, it added, prompted the operatives of the Command in the locality to storm the scene and arrested seven suspected Black Axe members.
“He left the place and Umoru was attacked and shot dead. He was later arrested through a diligent investigation and confessed to the crime”, it said.
In another incident, one Emmanuel Odiase, a member of the Black Axe was killed in Auchi by members of Eiye cult group.
Also, a 43-year-old man identified as Braimoh Fulani, was killed in his provision shop at Campus area in Auchi by members of Aye cult group.
According to the police, the assailants came to his shop in an unregistered golden colour Lexus 350 saloon car.
The police said with timely information from members of the public, police operatives in collaboration with the vigilante group, mobilized and gave the suspects hot chase and they were arrested and their weapons.