Edo State Special Security Squad has confirmed the arrest of nine suspected cultists in Iguoshodin N’ Ikpemaba in Ovia North East Local Government.
Coordinator of the squad, Idemudia Noah, who disclosed this on Thursday in Benin said firearms were also recovered during the raid
Mr Noah said the raid, carried out in the early hours of Sept. 3, followed intelligence reports and a distress call that cult members were terrorising the residents.
He said that the operatives recovered two Baretta pistols, two cut-to-size double-barrel guns, and live AK-47 ammunition from a building allegedly belonging to the Okaighele of Omi, Mr Osazuwa Igbineweka, who had been declared wanted by the police.
According to Noah, preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects were members of the Eiye confraternity, notorious for violent clashes and criminal activities in several Edo communities.
“Their arrest has restored confidence among residents, who commended the security agencies for timely intervention,” he said.
The coordinator reaffirmed the corps commitment to flushing out cultism, kidnapping, and violent crimes in Edo.
He assured that the security outfit code named, Operation flush out cultists and kidnappers, would continue to work with communities to dismantle criminal networks. (NAN)
