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

Police Arrest Mother, Daughter Over Alleged N18m Romance Scam

Published

39 minutes ago

May 28, 2026

Editor

Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre, NPF-NCCC, have arrested a woman and her daughter over their alleged involvement in a romance scam that reportedly defrauded a Malta-based victim of more than N18 million.

The police disclosed that the arrests followed investigations into allegations bordering on computer-related fraud, identity theft, and money laundering after receiving intelligence from the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit, NFIU.

In a statement issued by the Acting Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Uwana Imah, the suspects were identified as 39-year-old Urowhe Diana and her 22-year-old daughter, Rokibat Oluwasheyi Imoru.

According to the statement, preliminary investigations revealed that a Lagos resident identified as Emmanuel Amanfo, who is currently at large, allegedly collaborated with Rokibat Oluwasheyi Imoru to open and operate multiple bank accounts used in carrying out fraudulent transactions.

“One of the victims was identified as a resident of Malta whose identity has been withheld,” the statement said.

The police further disclosed that proceeds from the alleged romance scam were transferred through money transfer operators and direct deposits into several Nigerian bank accounts belonging to Rokibat Oluwasheyi Imoru.

Investigators also alleged that the funds were later moved into an Ecobank account owned by Urowhe Diana, where the money was allegedly spent.

According to the statement, forensic analysis of the suspects’ digital activities allegedly linked both mother and daughter to the cybercrime operation, leading to their eventual arrest.

The police added that efforts were ongoing to apprehend Emmanuel Amanfo, who was described as the husband of Urowhe Diana and stepfather of Rokibat Oluwasheyi Imoru.

“Investigation into the matter is still ongoing, and the suspects will be charged to court upon conclusion of investigations,” the statement added.

The Nigeria Police Force reiterated the commitment of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, to safeguarding Nigeria’s cyberspace and tackling cybercrime across the country.

The NPF-NCCC also urged members of the public to report suspicious cyber-related activities through its official online reporting portal and designated communication channels.

Metro

Edo Police Arrest Two Suspected Cultists

Published

19 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.