The police authorities in Edo State, on Wednesday, said they have arrested seven suspects in connection to secret cult-related killings and murder in the state.
Spokesman for the police, Chidi Nwabuzor, confirmed the development on Wednesday while briefing journalists at the command’s headquarters, in Benin City, the state capital.
He gave the names of the suspects as Adodo Etiosa, Ogbeifun Destiny, Atohan Osazuwa, Enohiese Nelson, Okechukwu Samuel, Omoruyi Friday and Osayande Ohbomwan.
He said the Divisional Police Officer, Aduwawa and his men, while conducting a raid on black spots at Upper Mission Extension following secret cult killings in the state, arrested Etiosa, Destiny, Osazuwa and Nelson, occupants of one RX 330 SUV with registration number BEN 899- NC.
Nwabuzor explained that upon searching the vehicle, one laptop and a machete were recovered, adding that the suspects confessed to being members of Black Axe, who are involved in the recent cult fights and killings in the state.
The police spokesman said the remaining three — Samuel, Friday and Ohbomwan were arrested at the Okhunmwun community, near Oluku by the police and vigilantes.
“Upon search on a bag belonging to Ogbomwan, two locally made pistols and six live cartridges were recovered,” Nwabuzor said.
He said while the others confessed to being members of Black Axe secret-cult confraternity, Ogbomwan confessed that he and some of his members killed one Gideon Ojeaga at Iguosa community.
Nwabuzor said the suspects would be charged in court.
But speaking with journalists, Osazuwa denied being a member of any cult group.
“The police arrested us while we were going home and took us to the station, and when they searched our bag, they found a laptop and a cutlass, which my friend is using to work on his building site.
“We are surprised they brought us here, saying we are cultists and that we killed someone. We are not cultists, and we didn’t kill anyone,” he narrated.
