Edo State Government has declared eight persons wanted for alleged involvement in the recent cult-related activities in the State.
Those declared wanted are three community youth leaders, popularly known in a local parlance as “Okiagheles” and five cult-members.
Dr Patrick Ebojele, the Chief Press Secretary to the State Governor, Monday Okpebholo disclosed this in a statement made available to newsmen in Benin City, dated Monday, February 16, 2026.
The government gave a seven-day ultimatum to the three community youth leaders to appear before the State Special Security Squad Code-named “Operation Flush Out Cultist and Kidnappers.
“The Edo State Government is giving the three youth leaders seven days ultimatum to report themselves in Government House to clear themselves of wrong doing and in connection to the recent cult killing in the State.
“The five suspected cult members declared wanted are Enas, Koko, Amani Amani, Sparol and Dada. These are their nicknames but these suspects who are on the run know themselves”, the statement said.
The youth leaders declared wanted and ordered to report to the Special Security Squad are the Okiaghele of Obagie, Ofumwengbe and Ara communities respectively.
Meanwhile, the Spokesperson of the State Special Security Squad, Eribo Enwanta, said the Okiaghele of Obazagbon community, Innocent Okunozee a suspected member of Black Axe confraternity, who has since been arrested, is currently in custody.
Enwanta explained that the Okiaghele of Obazagbon community was arrested after weapons and live ammunition were found in a highlander jeep driven by the community Chief Security Officer, CSO, Mr Godspower Obayuwana who happened to be his cousin.
According to him, following the recent killings in some parts of Benin, the Special Security Squad led by the Principal Security Officer (PSO) to Edo State Governor carried out a series of raids, leading to the arrest of some suspected cultists at Amagba community in Oredo and Obagie community in Ikpoba-Okah local government areas of the state while other cult members have been declared wanted .
“After a raid at the Amagba community two suspected Black Axe Confraternity members identified as Osazee Omoruyi and Osahon Anito were arrested. Preliminary investigations linked the Okiagheles and five others who escaped from the raided compound to the recent cult killings.
“Also, following the recent cult disturbance in the State, an intelligent report led to the raiding and arrest of two Aye cult members at Yuwa Kokoma Street in Amagba GRA.
“The squad has made huge success with this arrest in pursuant of its responsibilities and duties in making the State crime free, free from killing and all other social vices”, he added.
The spokesperson of the security outfit also added that the squad stormed a residence of one of the suspected cult membets at Amagba community to carry out further search to see if more incriminating evidence can be found that will help security agencies in their investigations.
He urged members of the community, citizens of the State who know the wanted people and have vital information that will lead to their arrest to call the relevant security agencies and provide such information.
He, however, called on the fleeing suspects to willingly give themselves in for investigation, assuring that they will be arrested no matter where they run to.
Speaking on his involvement in the cult activities one of the arrested suspects at Amagba community, Osaze Omoruyi who said he is an internet fraudster, also confessed to be a member of Black Axe.
Omoruyi popularly known as Demond Tutu said he joined the cult group in 2012, but, however, denied his involvement in the recent killing in the State.
He alleged that one Doviani brought home on Sunday, February 15, 2026 a Lexus jeep suspected to be used in the killings, as well as a bag containing a pump action gun, a barreta, a pistol, live ammunition, as well as different photographs, including one of a couple
