Metro

Cultism: NDLEA Arrests 30 Suspects Over Alleged Illicit Drugs Dealing In Edo

Published

3 years ago

July 26, 2023

Editor

The Edo Command of the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested 30 suspects for allegedly engaging in drugs related offences.

Items recovered from the suspects include packs of tramadol tablets, dried and fresh weed suspected to be cannabis sativa.

Mr Ondotimi Bebetu, State Assistant Commander in charge of operations who disclosed this on Wednesday during a news briefing in Benin, said the suspects were made up of 15 male and 15 female.

Bebetu, who doubles as Spokesperson of the agency in the state, asserted that the suspects were arrested by the operatives of the command during the raids of illegal drug and drinking joints.

The raids, he said, was a fall out of the state security meeting of July 21, where the state government expressed dismay over the spate of cult activities in the state.

According to him, the activities are suspiciously linked to drugs abuse.

“The raid was a fall out of the state security meeting we had on July 21. Various issues were discussed, but the trending issue was the cultism issue in the state.

“The government is disturbed that these cultists are using what God knows to give themselves the courage, the boast to kill themselves and caused mayhem to disrupt the peace of the society.

“So at the end of the day, it was discovered that suspiciously they are under the influence of hard drugs and so, the government now decided that the state security outfits, the sister agencies should join hands together and mop up the society of this drug use.

“This is the effect of what you are seeing. We just jumped out for two day exercise – Monday and Tuesday.

“That is the result you are seeing behind me the suspects and the exhibits,” he said.

The NDLEA boss said further investigation into the case was ongoing in order to separate dealers from the users.

While he noted that drug dealers would be charged to court, he said drugs users would be counseled.

Metro

Ex-convict Arrested In Edo For Armed Robbery, Possession Of Firearm

Published

9 hours ago

May 5, 2026

Editor

The Edo State Security Corps (ESSC) has arrested a 45-year-old ex-convict, Owen Osas, for alleged unlawful possession of firearms and suspected involvement in a robbery incident.

Osas was reportedly arrested with a cut-to-size single-barrel gun during a covert operation along Fishpond Road in Eyean, Uhunmwonde Local Government Area.

The arrest reportedly comes barely a year after he was released from prison, where he had served time for illegal possession of firearms and other criminal offences.

Osas, who confessed to the latest crime, also admitted to being a member of the Eiye Confraternity.

READ ALSO:Tragedy As Suspected Kidnappers Kill Young Entrepreneur In Edo
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Consequently, a victim of an alleged robbery incident, Reginia Izy, identified Osas as the person who robbed her a day before his arrest.
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The victim narrated that the suspect had approached her residence around 8 p.m., pretending to be familiar before carrying out the attack.
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‎The Deputy Commander Operations of ESSC, Richard Balogun, said the arrest was part of intensified efforts to rid Edo State of criminal elements.

READ ALSO:Edo South Senatorial Seat: Nothing Wrong Seeking Wike’s Support – Ogbeide-Ihama
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‎Balogun explained that operatives conduct both overt patrols and covert operations to track and apprehend suspects.
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He said, ‎“Our men are always on patrol. Some operate in plain clothes as part of covert strategies, while others are stationed at strategic locations.

“Osas, who is a former convict, was arrested with firearms and he also confessed to be a member of the Eiye Confraternity.”
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Metro

Gunmen Kidnap Businessman In Ibadan

Published

2 days ago

May 4, 2026

Editor

Gunmen suspected to be kidnappers have abducted a 60-year-old man in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

The victim was kidnapped on Saturday while on his way to his residence.

The incident occurred at Jinarere, Alakia in Ibadan.

Public Relations Officer of the State Police command, Olayinka Ayanlade, when contacted, confirmed the incident.

Ayanlade in a statement made available to DAILY POST on Sunday, explained that efforts are ongoing to rescue the victim.

Ayanlade said, “Preliminary information reveals that the victim, a 60-year-old male and building materials trader, was accosted while returning home along the Jinarere axis of Alakia Road by four masked armed men, who forcefully whisked him away in an unregistered ash-coloured Toyota Corolla vehicle”.

Metro

Tragedy As Suspected Kidnappers Kill Young Entrepreneur In Edo

Published

2 days ago

May 3, 2026

Editor

A 30-year-old entrepreneur and CEO of Principle Takeout, Justice Abu Oshioke, has been killed by suspected kidnappers in Ekpoma, Esan West Local Government Area of Edo State.

He was reportedly attacked by the suspected kidnappers on Saturday while on his way to pick up an order made for his child’s dedication on Sunday morning.

Eyewitnesses said the attackers attempted to force him into a nearby bush in a kidnapping attempt. However, he reportedly resisted and tried to escape.

In the course of the struggle, the assailants opened fire, shooting him multiple times.

Concerned residents quickly rushed him to a nearby medical facility, but he was confirmed dead on arrival.

The deceased was said to have recently gotten married and welcomed a baby boy.

The tragic event has turned a joyous occasion into a moment of grief for the family.

The shocking development has left the Ekpoma community in deep sorrow, with many residents expressing outrage over the growing insecurity in the area.

Edo State Police Command’s spokesperson, Eno Ikoedem confirmed the incident and said the Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika has ordered a “full-scale investigation and intensified manhunt for those responsible.”

According to her, the Police, in collaboration with the military, local vigilantes, and hunters, are actively pursuing the perpetrators through coordinated operations.