Metro

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

Published

11 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

Edo Police Arrest Two Suspected Cultists

Published

14 hours ago

May 27, 2026

Editor

The Edo State Police Command on Wednesday said two suspected cultists were arrested in Ohonre community, off Adolor College Road, Benin.

This was disclosed in a statement by the command Public Relations Officer, Eno Ikoedem, and made available to newsmen electrically.

Ikoedem said the arrest was possible due to operatives response to a distress report concerning the movement and gathering of some suspected cult members within the community.

The statement reads: “The Edo State Police Command has recorded another operational breakthrough following the swift disruption of a suspected cultists’ gathering in Ohonre Community, off Adolor College Road, Benin City.

“On 21st May, 2026, at about 19:00hrs, operatives attached to Ugbowo Division who were on surveillance patrol responded to a distress report concerning the movement and gathering of some suspected cult members within the community.

“Acting promptly on the information, the police team mobilized to the location. On sighting the operatives, the suspects fled in an attempt to evade arrest. The operatives immediately gave them a hot chase, leading to the arrest of two suspects identified as Victor Peter ‘M’, 21 years and Iyemoma Ogbewe ‘M’, 35 years.

“A search conducted on the suspects led to the recovery of one cut-to-size gun believed to have been in their possession for unlawful purposes.

“Upon investigation, the suspects confessed to being members of the notorious Maphite cult group. Efforts are ongoing to identify and apprehend other fleeing gang members.”

She said the Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, commended the swift response of the operatives and reiterated the Command’s resolve to deny criminal elements any opportunity within Edo State.

He further urged residents to continue providing timely and credible information to the Police, assuring that all reports would receive prompt attention.

Metro

Troops Eliminate Two Terrorists, Foil Pipeline Attack

Published

2 days ago

May 26, 2026

Editor

The Nigerian Army says troops have, in the last 24 hours, eliminated two terrorists, rescued four kidnapped victims and foiled pipeline attacks in a series of coordinated military operations across Taraba, Kogi and Rivers.

This is contained in operational updates issued to reporters on Tuesday in Abuja.

According to the reports, troops of 93 Battalion deployed at Akate in the Donga Local Government Area of Taraba engaged suspected terrorists in a forested area, killing two of them.

According to the report, items recovered from the scene include an AK-47 rifle, ammunition, magazines, mobile phones and other personal effects.

In Kogi, it said the troops of 21 Battalion, in collaboration with vigilantes, rescued four kidnapped passengers along the Anyigba–Itobe road in Ofu Local Government Area.

It added that the victims were reportedly abandoned by their captors while attempting to cross a seasonal stream due to sustained pressure from advancing troops.

According to the military, efforts are ongoing to rescue other victims still in captivity.

The report said that troops of 12 Brigade successfully repelled an ambush along Kabba–Okene road while withdrawing from an earlier operation, forcing the assailants to flee with gunshot wounds.

“Meanwhile, in Rivers, troops of 5 Battalion acting on credible intelligence, foiled an attempt by suspected vandals to detonate a crude oil pipeline in Ahoada West Local Government Area.

“The swift response of the troops disrupted the operation before it could be executed, with the suspects fleeing the scene,” it said.

Metro

Police Arrest Private Chef Over Alleged N150m Theft, Drugging Of Employer, Burglary

Published

2 days ago

May 26, 2026

Editor

The Nigeria Police Force has arrested a chef, John Cosmos Govi, over his alleged involvement in a burglary operation at a residence in Abuja, where luxury items and valuables worth about N150 million were reportedly stolen.

The arrest was announced on Monday, May 25, 2026, by the Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Anthony Placid, who said the suspect was apprehended by operatives of the Force Intelligence Department Intelligence Response Team (FID-IRT) after investigations into allegations of criminal conspiracy, housebreaking, theft, malicious damage and administering harmful substances.

According to police findings, Govi, who allegedly gained employment as a chef at the residence, was said to have studied the movement of occupants, internal routine and security setup before allegedly carrying out the operation on April 23, 2026.

Investigators said he reportedly worked with two accomplices identified as Peter and Moses, who are currently on the run.

Police alleged that food prepared in the house was laced with a suspected sedative substance to weaken the occupants and security personnel.

After they reportedly became unconscious, the suspects allegedly broke into the property, damaged CCTV installations and stole 20 luxury wristwatches valued at about N150 million, alongside other valuables.

Speaking on the development, DCP Anthony Placid said the suspect was intercepted around the Gwagwalada axis of the Federal Capital Territory while attempting to flee to Lagos. He added that an iPhone 17 Pro Max, believed to belong to the victim, and a suspected chemical substance were recovered.

“We remain committed to dismantling organised criminal networks and ensuring that all fleeing accomplices are brought to justice,” Placid said.

Police said efforts are ongoing to arrest the fleeing suspects and conclude investigations into the case.