Metro

Three Suspects Allegedly Linked To Cult-related Killings Arrested In Edo

Published

3 months ago

February 17, 2026

Three suspected cultists allegedly linked to Friday, February 13, cult-related killings in Benin City were arrested in a joint raid by the Edo State Special Security Squad, ESSC, and operatives of the state Police Command.

The suspects were arrested at Amagba and Obagie communities, Benin, during the joint raid, as fetish items, arms and ammunition were recovered from their homes.

Out of the three suspects, Osazee Omoruyi alias Desmond Tutu and Innocent Okunozee, the Okiaghale (youth leader) of Obagie community confessed to be cultists respectively, but denied involvement in the killings, while Anito Osahon, who was weeping profusely denied belonging to any cult group nor killings.

Omoruyi and Osahon were said to be arrested on Sunday morning by the joint security operatives in a bungalow at Amagba, GRA, where two pump-ction guns, a pistol, and ammunition were found, while Okunozee was allegedly arrested with a Highlander Jeep, with a Raffle in a separate raid on the same Sunday, before they were formally presented to newsmen yesterday.

Speaking at the scene of his arrest (he was taken back to the bungalow where he and Osahon were arrested), Omoruyi said though he belongs to the Aiye confraternity, he has not been involved in any killing, adding that he stays with some of his guys to hustle (Internet fraud).

When asked how the arms and ammunition got to the house where he stays, he said he doesn’t know anything about the ammunition, adding that his friend called Doviano came in with the bag containing the arms and ammunition early Sunday morning

He confessed: “Doviano and Ekwe drove in early Sunday morning and started knocking at the gate, so I opened the gate for them. After dropping the bag, Doviano told me ‘town no safe,’ and that I should be careful, thereafter, they went under the tree outside the gate and started drinking and making calls. As they were drinking, I came outside to check on them and went back inside because if I moved closer to them, they will pause their discussion. So, I came inside and continued with my normal hustle.

“The next few minutes, I heard a knock at the gate, and when I went out to open, I discovered security operatives have surrounded the building.”

Omoruyi, who said he met his cult-friends in the Benin Zone and that he has been a member since 2012, listed his friends that stayed with him in the Bungalow as: Enas, Ekwu, Emani, Dada, Sparo, Doviano, adding that they all belong to the same confraternity.

On the other hand, Okunozee, who took security operatives and newsmen to his apartment in a six flats Deplex in Obagie community, Benin City, confessed that he belongs to Black Axe confraternity, but denied being arrested with a Highlander, adding that his Chief Security Officer (CSO) identified as Obayuwana Godspower owns the Highlander.

He said: “I was not caught with a Highlander. I was not even in the community that day of the arrest. I am the Okiaghale (yourh leader) of Obazagbon community. My CSO, Obayuwana Godspower owns the car. He is my brother, but I don’t know who owns the Riffle.

“I was not caught with such ammunition. I am aware he was arrested with the Highlander and that was why I came to meet the police, because my name has been mentioned in the whole thing.”

Asked what he does with the fetish items that were recovered from his apartment, Okunozee said: “I use them for comedy in my skit. If you check Funny Home comedy you will find them. I don’t do anything like rituals, what I use them for is what I just mentioned.”

Briefing newsmen, Eribo Ewanta, the spokesperson for the ESSC, said the suspects were arrested following intelligence gathered.

Ewanta, who said the Squad has made a huge success in its mandate to make the state crime free, gave the Okiaghales of Obagie, Ofumwengbe, Ara communities seven days ultimatum to surrounder themselves to the state government or be arrested anywhere they are, adding that the state government is closer to them than they can imagine.

He added: “The following are on the run, Enas, Koko, Amani Amani, Sparo and Dada. They should come and surrounder themselves as well, or else we will track them down.”

Metro

Gunmen Kidnap Businessman In Ibadan

Published

1 day 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.

Metro

Grandfathers Arrested For Drug Trafficking

Published

2 days ago

May 3, 2026

Editor

Two grandfathers, aged 83 and 78, are among several suspects apprehended by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in a fresh nationwide crackdown on illicit drug trafficking.

Pa John Ofiel, 83, was arrested on Tuesday, 28 April during a raid in the Aba region of Abia State.

The NDLEA said that operatives acting on credible intelligence recovered 700 grams of skunk, a potent strain of cannabis already packaged into retail sachets.

The octogenarian, who claimed to be a professional shoemaker allegedly confessed to delving into the illicit trade.

In Ekiti State on Thursday 30 April 78 year old Ogunjobi Samuel was detained at his residence in Ilupeju-Ekiti where officers seized 350 grams of cannabis from him, identifying him as a local peddler.

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, (CCEO), Brig. Gen. Mohamed Marwa (Rtd), commended the various state commands for their drug supply reduction efforts.

He urged officers to maintain the current momentum, balancing enforcement with the agency’s War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitisation activities.
The enforcement drive also led to the arrest of a notorious drug dealer in Oyo State Taofik Adeyemi, 49.

He was apprehended on Saturday, 2 May, at his residence in Ibadan after months of evading the authorities.

He was caught alongside his salesman, Mustapha Oyerinde, with 3.085kg of cannabis and a getaway vehicle.

Across other states, the NDLEA recorded significant seizures including over 140,000 pills and capsules of Tramadol intercepted in separate operations targeting transit routes from Damaturu to Hadejia.

A raid on Awolowo Market in Mushin area of Lagos state resulted in the recovery of 740kg of cannabis while in Kaduna, two suspects were caught on the Abuja-Jos highway with 290kg of compressed cannabis concealed in a Honda Ridgeline.

A 65-year-old driver was intercepted at the Ile-Ife toll gate in Osun state conveying skunk and methamphetamine, leading to a follow up arrest of the consignment’s owner in Ilesha.

In line with it’s mandate, the NDLEA continued its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) advocacy, holding enlightenment lectures for students, Islamic schools, and commercial motorcyclists in Niger, Kano, Anambra, and Lagos states.

The NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, noted that the agency remains committed to “cleansing the streets” of both notorious distributors and those who use age as a shield for criminal activity.