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Witchcraft Killing, Cultism Rampant In Benue, Says CP

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Benue State Police Command has raised the alarm about the killing of elderly over alleged witchcraft by some youths in the state.

The Commissioner of Police in the state, Hassan Yabaner, who reeled out the achievements of the command in 2024 in a statement issued in Makurdi on Monday pointed out that cultism and killing of elderly people for alleged witchcraft topped the criminal activities in the state in the past one year.

Giving the breakdown of the number of criminal records in the state between April 2024 till date, Yabaner said that 273 suspects were arrested in connection with capital offences, 20 firearms were recovered, 51
ammunitions also recovered. He added that 250 of the suspects have been charged in court.

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READ ALSO: FG Sacks Benue University Of Health’s Pro-chancellor Over Alleged Misconduct

He said, “One of the major challenges bedevilling the state is the issue of cultism which the command has been fighting till this moment.

“While some suspects have been charged to court, we have a total number of seven (7) suspected cultists in custody arrested in the North Bank, Daudu and Otukpo area.

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“They include Donald Aguma ‘m’ of Daudu, Tyoshar Aondoaseer ‘m’ of Daudu, Tsena Joseph ‘m’ of Daudu, and Benjamin Andrew Augustine of Otukpo. Garba Yusuf AKA Totis, Ismail Dauda and Abdulahi Danjuma all ‘m’ of Wadata Makurdi were also arrested and one locally fabricated pistol was recovered.

READ ALSO: Bandits Terrorizing Benue Gunned Down In Shootout With Police

“Another worrisome situation in the state is the case of people taking laws into their own hands, particularly young people killing the elderly for alleged cases of witchcraft.”

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He cited the killing of an aged woman killed on Christmas Eve over allegations of witchcraft in Egba village, Agatu Local Government Area of the state.

He said, “On 24/12/2024 at about 1900hrs, information was received that an aged woman was killed over an allegation of witchcraft in Egba village, Agatu LGA. During the investigation, one Bako Above ‘m’ 50yrs and Oyaje Clement ‘m’ 40yrs were arrested in connection to the case.

The CP commended the state governor, Hyacinth Alia for his support and the Inspector General of Police, IGP. Kayode Egbetokub, for being a pillar of the command.

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

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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.

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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

Consequently, a victim of an alleged robbery incident, Reginia Izy, identified Osas as the person who robbed her a day before his arrest.

The victim narrated that the suspect had approached her residence around 8 p.m., pretending to be familiar before carrying out the attack.

‎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

‎Balogun explained that operatives conduct both overt patrols and covert operations to track and apprehend suspects.

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.

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“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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Gunmen Kidnap Businessman In Ibadan

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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.

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

READ ALSO:Gunmen Abduct 60-year-old Trader In Oyo

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

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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”.

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Tragedy As Suspected Kidnappers Kill Young Entrepreneur In Edo

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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.

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READ ALSO:Senatorial Seat: Ogbakha-Edo Warns Against Imposition Of Candidates In Edo South

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.

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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.

READ ALSO:Edo NLC Divided Over May Day Celebration

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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.

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