Edo Police Arrest Seven Suspected Cultists In Benin City During Brutal Assault On Okada Rider
In a decisive move against the growing menace of cult-related violence in Edo State, the Edo State Police Command has apprehended seven individuals suspected of engaging in cult activities. The arrests took place in Benin City, following a disturbing incident in which an Okada rider was reportedly assaulted and dehumanized by the suspects.
According to a statement issued by the Public Relations Officer of the Command, SP Moses Yamu, the suspects were intercepted and arrested on Sunday, June 8, 2025, by officers attached to the Love World Division. The operation was carried out at Peanut Junction along the busy Benin-Sapele Road, a known hotspot for cult clashes in recent months.
SP Yamu disclosed that the suspects were caught in the act, brutalizing a motorcyclist in broad daylight. Quick response from the patrol team led to the immediate arrest of seven individuals. Two others involved in the incident, however, managed to escape and are currently being pursued by law enforcement authorities.
The individuals in custody have been identified as Erick Charles, Gift Nerese, Odion Osaro, Festus Osaghai, Owas Ighodaro, Samuel Sabi, and Destiny Bernard. During preliminary interrogations, two of the arrested suspects reportedly confessed to being active members of the notorious Maphite Confraternity—one of the prominent cult groups in the region.
The police recovered a range of incriminating items from the suspects at the scene, including one pestle, a machete, a live cartridge, and a tricycle bearing registration number AUC 184 VH. The presence of these weapons further supports the suspicion that the group was involved in organized criminal activity.
Speaking on the ongoing anti-cultism campaign, SP Yamu emphasized the Command’s commitment to restoring safety and public confidence in the state. He noted that house-to-house raids targeting identified cultists are currently ongoing across Benin City and other parts of the state. The operation, he said, is aimed at curbing the persistent threat posed by cult gangs, particularly in urban centers where such groups often terrorize innocent residents.
“The Commissioner of Police has directed that we sustain this operation until cultism is brought to the barest minimum,” Yamu stated. He further assured the public that all suspects would face the full weight of the law once investigations are concluded.
This latest development comes at a time when Edo State has witnessed a troubling resurgence of cult-related violence, with several incidents of fatal clashes, property destruction, and public fear being reported. Authorities have linked much of the unrest to longstanding rivalries between cult groups vying for territorial control and influence, particularly in the state capital.
Community leaders and civil society organizations have lauded the police for their swift response and urged residents to continue cooperating with security agencies. They also called on parents, schools, and religious institutions to step up efforts in discouraging youth involvement in cultism.
As investigations proceed, the Edo State Police Command has reiterated its appeal to the public to report any suspicious activities or known cultists in their neighborhoods. Citizens can do so anonymously, and all tips will be treated with the utmost confidentiality.
The arrested individuals are expected to be formally charged in court in the coming days.
