Metro

Cultism: Edo Police Arrest Suspected Killer Of Three Vigilantes, 15 Others

Published

2 months ago

July 5, 2025

The Edo State Police Command, on Friday, said it had arrested a suspected cultist who was believed to be among the assailants who killed three vigilantes in the state.

In a statement made available to newsmen on Friday, the command’s Public Relations Officer, Moses Yamu, disclosed that operatives of the command also arrested 15 other suspected criminals and recovered several firearms and ammunition.

According to Yamu, the arrests were made while combing criminal hideouts and during house-to-house searches carried out in different parts of the state.

Yamu added that one of the suspects was arrested at the Benin Airport while trying to flee the state on June 28, 2025.

The statement reads in parts: “The fight against cultism and other heinous crimes in Edo State and the bid to restore confidence in the public has been further demonstrated by the Edo State Police Command with the recent successes recorded across the State.

“One Bello Salami (33 years), member of the Maphite Confraternity who was fingered in the recent killing of three vigilante members along Wire Road in Benin-City. The suspect, a confessed Maphite was arrested on 28/06/2025 at about 10:00hrs at the Benin airport, while attempting to flee the State.

“In another development, on 26th June 2025 at about 15:00hrs, while acting on credible Intelligence, operatives of the Aduwawa Division arrested the duo of Abdulahi Eriamiator (18 years) and Moses Humphrey (25 years) both members of the Vikings Confraternity.

“On the same date at about 18:00hrs, operatives of the South Ibie Division arrested one Ahmed Hakeem (23 years) a member of the Aye Confraternity. Further investigation led to the arrest of Williams Kayode (25 years), David Sylvester (21 years), Oshoke Itepu (22 years), Emmanuel Monday (27 years) and Daniel Ehichioya (21 years) all residents of South Ibie in Etsako West Local Government, as well as the recovery of one shotgun, four four live cartridges, two axes, one cutlass, a bunker of “ice” an illicit drug in their possession. All of them have confessed to being members of the Aye Confraternity.

“Similarly, operatives of Irrua Division led by the DPO, acting on actionable intelligence arrested one Ogbe Osaghele (29 years) of Ebhoakhuale-Ekpoma at Idumebo-Irrua with a cut-to-size shotgun and two live cartridges. Efforts are ongoing to apprehend one Odion Osaghele and two others now at large, who are also members of the Aye Confraternity.

“In the same vein on the 28/06/2025, operatives of the Ekpoma Area Command tracked and arrested one Itua Odion (22 years) at a hotel in Ekpoma, through credible information. Upon immediate search, one fabricated pistol with two live cartridges was recovered. The suspect confessed to being the Esan Area Zonal Leader of the Neo Black Movement (NBM) also known as Black Axe Confraternity.

“While on 29/06/2025 at about 15:00hrs, operatives of the Jattu Division raided a flash point along Ibie Road and arrested one Hamza Umoru (27 years) of Ikabigbo Community. The suspects have confessed to being members of the Vikings Confraternity.

“Also, operatives of the Auchi Division intercepted and arrested Emmanuel Udeh 27 (years), Kalifa Kabir (24 years) and Ashiru Ahmed (22 years ) at various locations in Auchi in possession of a Jojef Magnum pump action with breech number 23YT0083. The trio disguised as iron scraps scavengers with the firearm concealed.

“Lastly, on 01/07/2025 at about 01:30hrs, the home of one Jerry Orobor (50 years) at No 6 Ewinmandowan Street, off Major Road in Amagba Community, was raided based on credible information. Upon search of his house and premises, one automatic double barrel shotgun with 10 live cartridges and one faz cap bearing Aye Confraternity logo were recovered from him. The suspect has been taken into custody for further investigation.”

The command’s image maker, While reiterating the State Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, reassurance that the command remained resolute in its fight against cultism, enjoined the people of the state to go about their lawful businesses and to report any suspicious activities around them to the Police, promptly.

Yamu assured that all suspects would be arraigned before the court as soon as investigations were concluded.

Metro

Tension As Civilian Task Force Member Opens Fire Inside Kebbi Mosque

Published

3 hours ago

September 15, 2025

Editor

Residents of Faransi village in Danko Wasagu Local Government Area of Kebbi State were thrown into shock after a member of the civilian Joint Task Force, popularly known as Yansakai, allegedly opened fire inside a mosque.

According to a report on Sunday by security analyst Zagazola Makama via his X handle, the incident left one youth, identified as Bawa Kiri, with gunshot injuries. His father, Kiri Nyako, reported the case to troops of 1 Brigade at Unashi.

Military sources said efforts are ongoing to trace and apprehend the suspected Yansakai member behind the attack.

Meanwhile, the injured victim has been evacuated to Ribah General Hospital in Zuru Local Government Area, where he is receiving treatment.

Details of the incident remain sketchy as investigations continue.

Metro

Bandits Leader Who Allegedly Killed 34 Katsina Worshippers Seen In Peace Meeting

Published

3 hours ago

September 15, 2025

Editor

A picture has surfaced showing Babaro, a notorious bandit leader, at a peace dialogue held on Sunday in Faskari Local Government Area of Katsina State.

Security analyst, Zagazola Makama shared the photo on X, noting that Babaro has been terrorising the Kankara and Malumfashi areas.

Makama said Babaro is alleged to have led the recent attack on worshippers in Mantau, Malumfashi LGA, where 32 people were killed and many others injured during Isha prayers.

The development comes as security analyst Bakatsine also confirmed on Sunday that Faskari residents and bandits agreed on a peace deal that included mutual forgiveness, unarmed entry into towns, safe farming, grazing, and the release of captives without ransom.

“Peace deal in Faskari LGA, Katsina State as residents and bandits agree on unarmed entry into town by bandits, safe farming/grazing, mutual forgiveness, captives freed without ransom. Notorious figures like Ado Aleru, Babaro and Kwashen-garwa attended,” Bakatsine wrote.

Authorities were yet to issue an official statement regarding the incident, DAILY POST reports.

Metro

NAF Air Raids Kill Three Boko Haram Commanders In Borno

Published

3 hours ago

September 15, 2025

Editor

Boko Haram fighters are reportedly in disarray following sustained airstrikes by the Nigerian military on their hideouts in Borno State.

According to a report on Sunday by security analyst, Zagazola Makama via his X handle, the air raids targeted insurgent camps in Gobara and Balangaje, near Sambisa Forest in Gwoza Local Government Area, destroying several structures.

At least three senior commanders, identified as Mustafa, Ba Bunu, and Awana Kura, were said to have been killed in the operation.

The development has heightened anxiety among fighters, women, and children in the affected enclaves. A senior commander, Modu Kunduli, was reported to have informed another top leader, Bakura (alias Weeze), that the group’s ranks were unsettled by the bombardments.

Bakura, who operates around Kwajaffa–Ngabur village in Hawul LGA, was also quoted as expressing concern after sighting Nigerian Air Force jets over Garkida and Gombi areas.

Intelligence reports further indicate that the insurgents are considering retreating to their hideouts in Ngulde, Askira/Uba Local Government Area, pending further directives from their leaders.

Security sources said troops have been placed on alert to monitor possible movement of fighters as they attempt to evade additional air raids.