Metro

Cult Clash Leaves One Dead In Edo

Published

1 day ago

August 21, 2025

A cult clash between Eiye and Maphite confraternity in Evboyare Community in Uhunmwode Local Government, Edo State has left one person, identified as Festus, dead.

This was disclosed on Thursday by the coordinator of the Edo State Government’s Special Security Squad, Idemudia Noah in a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Monday Okpebholo, Fred Itua.

Noah described the scene of the clash as bloody while revealing that the residence of the alleged Maphite leader, Felix Aigbedion, was sealed after intelligence linked him to the crisis.

He said that Aigbedion has been declared wanted and he is believed to have masterminded the assault during a community dispute that spiraled into cult violence.

He said that by the time operatives arrived in Evboyare, the community was deserted as homes, vehicles, and personal property bore the marks of destruction.

He stated that two locally-made firearms were recovered from a poultry house, which was identified as a makeshift armory for cultists.

According to the statement, the operatives, acting on intelligence, also stormed an unoccupied building in Egbaen, Egor Local Government Area, in the early hours of Wednesday, where a secluded shrine was uncovered at the rear of the premises. The building is said to belong to Marvellous Adetarami.

Inside the house, officers found a white casket and fetish items believed to have been used for initiation rituals and other clandestine activities.

In swift response, the Edo State Government ordered the immediate sealing of the property, an emphatic signal of its resolve to dismantle the physical and spiritual infrastructure sustaining cultism across the state.

Speaking after the operation, Idemudia Noah reaffirmed the Government’s uncompromising posture.

“The administration of Governor Monday Okpebholo is unwavering in its determination to purge Edo State of cult-related violence and criminal syndicates.

“We have sealed the property of Felix Aigbedion, who has been implicated in the fatal clash at Evboyare which claimed the life of one Festus, as well as the Egbaen residence of Marvellous Adetarami, where a shrine was uncovered.

“These measures are not symbolic. They are a clear statement that clandestine activities will no longer find sanctuary in Edo State,” he noted.

Noah disclosed that investigation also unearthed disturbing evidence of extortion during initiation processes, including the forced transfer of money from victims to cultists. He stressed that the Police had been fully briefed and are pursuing prosecutions.

He warned cultists to renounce their membership of the groups or leave Edo State, noting that the government is committed to securing Edo for its people and ensuring peace, stability, and a safe environment for commerce and community life.

Metro

Edo Police Arrest Doctor Over Woman’s Death During Caesarean Section

Published

5 hours ago

August 22, 2025

Editor

The Edo State Police Command has said that it arrested a medical doctor following the death of a woman during an operation at a private hospital in Uromi, the administrative headquarters of Esan North-East Local Government Area of the state.

The command’s Public Relations Officer, Moses Yamu, while confirming the arrest said that detectives were investigating the circumstances surrounding the woman’s death.

“I can confirm the arrest of the doctor, and the command’s detectives are also investigating the matter.”

Police identified the doctor as Festus Ogheghele of Dickson Medical Centre, Uromi.

He was said to have performed a Caesarean section on the deceased, Susan Omoye-Okporan, 36, on August 2, 2025.

It was gathered that the woman reportedly developed complications and died shortly after the procedure, though her baby survived.

Her bereaved family members accused the doctor of gross professional negligence, which prompted a police investigation.

A family source said that the doctor may have been careless while performing the surgery, noting that they were ready to pursue the case to the highest level.

“I am sure the doctor was careless. Performing a cesarean section is one of the easiest surgical operations due to advancement in technology. The family is ready to pursue the case to the highest level,” the source added.

Findings at the command headquarters in Benin revealed that operatives of the Homicide Section, State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), took over the case from Uromi police over two weeks ago.

It was further learnt that an autopsy had been conducted, and the result is awaiting interpretation by police medical experts to determine the next line of action.

Metro

NDLEA Arrests 65 Suspects In Abia, 7 Prosecuted, Convicted

Published

5 hours ago

August 22, 2025

Editor

The new Abia State Commandant of National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, Joseph Owoputi has disclosed that sixty five suspects were arrested by the Command between June and August 2025 with about 82 kilo gram of substances seized from them.

Owoputi who said his Command secured seven convictions within the period under review, disclosed twelve of the arrested suspects are currently being prosecuted.

He stated this on Wednesday, when he led a team of officials from his Command visit Abia State Governor, Alex Otti.

The new NDLEA Commandant also said thirty eight other individuals are undergoing counselling and rehabilitation in the Command’s facility.

Owoputi assured the Abia Governor that he would consolidate on the achievements recorded by his predecessor and solicited the assistance of the state government in providing them with operational vehicles for more efficient performance.

He further thanked the Abia Governor for the support he extended to the immediate past NDLEA Commandant in Abia, which he said, assisted the agency in the fight against drugs abuse and illicit drug transactions.

Responding to the new Abia NDLEA boss’ appeal, Governor Alex Otti approved two new Hilux vans for the agency and directed that NDLEA’S abandoned vehicles should be retrieved and fixed by the Abia State government.

Otti who called for tougher legislation against drug abuse and illicit drug dealers in Nigeria, lamented that drug abuse is destroying many young persons, including students.

Metro

Village Youths Capture Bandit During Midnight Attack In Benue

Published

9 hours ago

August 22, 2025

Editor

Gunmen suspected to be bandits launched an attack on Bigwa village in Mbayenge, Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State, in the early hours of Tuesday, August 19, 2025.

Witnesses said the attackers invaded the community around 2 a.m., but were resisted by local youths who mobilized to defend the village.

During the confrontation, one of the bandits was overpowered and captured, while others fled with injuries.

Several youths were also said to have sustained injuries in the clash.

The captured suspect has since been handed over to security agencies for investigation.

Community members praised the courage of the youths in standing up to the attackers, but appealed to government and security forces to step up protection in the area to prevent further assaults.