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.

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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.

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“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.

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.

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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.

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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.

Personnel of the Nigeria Police Force over the weekend raided a residential building in the Maryland area of Lagos State, where illicit drugs worth ₦7.8 billion were recovered.

Some suspects, including the kingpin behind the recovered drugs, Eke Ifeanyi Henry, have also been arrested by police personnel, who reportedly rejected a ₦500 million bribe.

The operation was carried out by a combined team of officers from the Zone 2 Police Command and the Special Protection Unit on the directive of the Inspector General of Police, Olatunji Disu.

The sting operation led to the seizure of hundreds of bags of suspected Canadian Loud worth billions of naira.

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It was gathered that the SPU team acted on intelligence and collaborated with the Zone 2 Headquarters.

The Assistant Inspector General in charge of Zone 2, AIG Jimoh, while speaking with newsmen, said the command had placed the suspect under surveillance for several months before his arrest on May 19.

He revealed that during the operation, the suspect allegedly offered a ₦500 million bribe to the SPU commander in an attempt to make the team stand down and allow him to contact his associates to move the consignment elsewhere.

The offer was rejected outright, and the commander immediately documented the attempt for further investigation.

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AIG Jimoh stated that the incident underscores the importance of specialised units like the SPU being embedded within joint operations under IGP Disu’s grassroots policing strategy.

The Special Protection Unit was deployed alongside divisional teams to secure the perimeter and prevent escape or interference with evidence.

The unit acted on months of surveillance and technical intelligence before moving in.

The Inspector General of Police, Olatunji Disu, said the success validates the ongoing redeployment of personnel to divisions and units across Lagos and Ogun.

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He further stated that policing must be close to the people, and that specialised units must work side by side with divisional teams on the ground.

“The professionalism shown by the SPU commander in rejecting a ₦500 million bribe and following due procedure is the standard we expect. It shows that when you put your best foot forward at the grassroots, you get results and restore public trust,” he said.

The IGP added that his administration will continue to reward integrity and hold officers accountable to the same standard.

Exhibits recovered during the raid have been documented and will be presented in court.

The suspects remain in custody as investigations continue to identify other members of the network.

(TRIBUNE)