By Tracy Ohovwore
The Edo State Police Command has intensified its fight against cultism and other criminal activities across the state. In its ongoing efforts to restore public confidence and reduce crime, the command has recorded a series of successes, including the arrest of one Bello Salami, 33, a member of the Maphite Confraternity linked to the recent killing of three vigilante members along Wire Road in Benin City. The suspect, who confessed to being a cultist, was apprehended on June 28, 2025, at the Benin Airport while attempting to flee the state.
On June 26, 2025, acting on credible intelligence, operatives of the Aduwawa Division arrested Abdulahi Eriamiator, 18, and Moses Humphrey, 25, both members of the Vikings Confraternity. That same day, operatives of the South Ibie Division arrested Ahmed Hakeem, 23, a member of the Aye Confraternity. Further investigations led to the arrest of five other Aye members—Williams Kayode, 25; David Sylvester, 21; Oshoke Itepu, 22; Emmanuel Monday, 27; and Daniel Ehichioya, 21—all residents of South Ibie in Etsako West Local Government Area. Recovered from them were one shotgun, four live cartridges, two battle axes, one cutlass, and a stash of illicit drugs known as “ice.” All suspects confessed to their involvement in cult activities.
In a separate operation, operatives of the Irrua Division led by the DPO arrested Ogbe Osaghele, 29, of Ebhoakhuale-Ekpoma at Idumebo-Irrua with a cut-to-size shotgun and two live cartridges. Efforts are ongoing to apprehend his accomplices, including Odion Osaghele and two others currently at large, believed to be members of the Aye Confraternity.
On June 28, 2025, operatives of the Ekpoma Area Command, acting on intelligence, arrested Itua Odion, 22, at a hotel in Ekpoma. A search of his unregistered ash-colored Lexus RX 350 revealed a fabricated pistol and two live cartridges. He confessed to being the Esan Area Zonal Leader of the Neo Black Movement (NBM), also known as the Black Axe Confraternity.
On June 29, 2025, operatives of the Jattu Division raided a criminal hideout along Ibie Road and arrested Hamza Umoru, 27, of Ikabigbo community, who confessed to being a Vikings Confraternity member. In a related operation, Auchi Division officers intercepted Emmanuel Udeh, 27; Kalifa Kabir, 24; and Ashiru Ahmed, 22, in various parts of Auchi. The trio, who disguised themselves as scrap scavengers, were found with a Jojef Magnum pump action shotgun concealed in their collection.
Additionally, on Tuesday, police raided the residence of Jerry Orobor, 50, at No. 6 Ewinmandowan Street, off Major Road in Amagba community. A search of the premises led to the recovery of an automatic double-barrel shotgun, ten live cartridges, and a face cap bearing the Aye Confraternity logo. Orobor was taken into custody for further investigation.
All suspects will be arraigned in court upon the conclusion of investigations. The Commissioner of Police, CP Monday Agbonika, fdc, reassured the public of the command’s unwavering commitment to combating cultism and urged residents to report any suspicious activities to the police while continuing their lawful businesses without fear.
