Edo State Police Command has arrested a suspected cultist at the Benin-City Airport while attempting to flee the state.
In a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Moses Joel Yamu, the Command disclosed that the suspect is among the 16 apprehended in its recent statewide operations.
The exercise he added resulted in the recovery of five (5) firearms, eighteen (18) rounds of ammunition, and two (2) battle axes.
Among those arrested is Bello Salami, 33, a confessed member of the Maphite Confraternity, linked to the recent murder of three vigilante operatives along Wire Road, Benin City.
Yamu said Salami was nabbed on June 28th, 2025, around 10 a.m. at the Benin Airport during an attempt to escape the state.
Two suspects Abdulahi Eriamiator, 18, and Moses Humphrey, 25, both members of the Vikings Confraternity, Ahmed Hakeem, 23, of the Aye Confraternity were also arrested in the exercise.
The Police said investigations led to the arrest of five more suspected cultists in South Ibie, Etsako West LGA, with the recovery of a shotgun, live cartridges, axes, a cutlass, and a bunker of “ice” — an illicit drug.
In Irrua, the police arrested Ogbe Osaghele, 29, with a cut-to-size shotgun and live cartridges, while his accomplices remain at large.
Also, in Ekpoma Area Command Itua Odion, 22, of the Black Axe Confraternit was arrested while a fabricated pistol with cartridges was recovered from his unregistered Lexus RX 350.
Jattu Division operatives raided a cult flashpoint on Ibie Road, arresting Hamza Umoru, 27, of Ikabigbo community, who confessed to being a Vikings member.
In Auchi, Emmanuel Udeh, Kalifa Kabir, and Ashiru Ahmed were caught with a Jojef Magnum pump-action shotgun, concealed while posing as scrap scavengers.
In the latest operation on July 1st, at about 1:30 a.m., police raided the Amagba home of Jerry Orobor, 50, where they recovered an automatic double-barrel shotgun, ten live cartridges, and a face cap with the Aye Confraternity insignia.
Edo State Commissioner of Police, CP Monday Agbonika, fdc, reaffirmed the Command’s unwavering commitment to sustaining the offensive against cultism, urging residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities. All arrested suspects will be prosecuted upon the conclusion of investigations.
