The Edo State Police Command on Monday said it had arrested 65-year-old Okoh Peter and four others for allegedly engaging in cultism in Benin.
Also, a motorcyclist who shot at policemen while trying to escape was arrested in Auchi.
In a press release, the Deputy Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Jennifer Iwegbu, said the arrest was in continuation of the police quest to rid the state of criminal elements.
The statement read, “With determination to check the menace and excesses of cultism and unnecessary killings in Edo State, men of anti-cultism unit of Edo State Police Command have been working round the clock with area commands and divisions to ensure that the ugly trend is stopped.
“The move by the police has yielded tremendous success during operations.
“On July 2, 2022, at about 17:15hrs, operatives of the state command, Ekiadolor sector, while on routine patrol within Ekowe community and environs, intercepted some suspected cultists at the community’s youth house.
“The suspects on sighting the police took to their heels which attracted the attention of the operatives. The operatives chased and arrested five of them, Andrew Owhoyavwosa ‘M’ 22yrs, Joseph Meshak ‘M’ 25yrs, Osazee Solomon ‘M’ 35yr, Godswill Obasohan ‘M’ 25yrs, Charles Odiase ‘M’ 52yrs, and Okoh Peter ‘M’ 68yrs.
“On-the-spot search conducted at the scene led to the recovery of two locally made single barrel guns, one locally cut to size single barrel gun, 30 live cartridges, a first aid box, other items as well as N37, 000,” she added.
Also, the motorcyclist was arrested by the operatives of the Command in collaboration with vigilantes on July 3, 2022, at about 02:30hrs, while on routine patrol along Igbe Road in Auchi Etsako West Local Government Area of the state.
He was said to be acting suspiciously when he was accosted and in an attempt to evade arrest and escape fired shot at the police but was subdued and arrested.”
The statement added, “On-the-spot search conducted on him led to the recovery of one locally made cut to size single barrel gun, one live cartridge and one expended cartridge, while the motorcycle with Reg no. BEN-316-QP was also confiscated.
“During preliminary investigation, the suspect confessed to being a member of the dreaded Vikings Confraternity. He will be charged to court at the end of the investigation,” the Iwegbu noted.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police has assured residents of the state that the Command will not relent in its efforts to rid the state of criminal elements and their cohorts. He urged the public to continue to collaborate with the police by providing prompt and credible information that would lead to the arrest of criminals.
