A total of 95 persons have been apprehended by the Edo State Police Command in connection with renewed cult clashes that have claimed several lives in the past two weeks across the state.
In a statement on Saturday, the Command’s spokesman, Moses Yamu, said 64 of the suspects have been charged to court and remanded, while investigation continues on the remaining suspects.
Yamu said operatives arrested the suspects during raids at locations in Benin and its environs where firearms were also recovered.
He disclosed that the arrested suspects were members of secret cults like the Maphites, Eiye and Aye confraternities, who were locked in supremacy battle among themselves.
Among the items recovered from the suspects include 2 locally made pistols, 1 single barrel shotgun and 24 live cartridges.
“These suspects, who belong to the notorious Maphites, Eiye and Aye Confraternities, were suspected to be responsible for the cult supremacy killings in the state.
“Sixty-four (64) of the suspects have been charged to court and remanded, while investigation continues on the remaining suspects,” Yamu said.
However, the Commissioner of Police in the state, Monday Agbonika, urged parents and guardians to keep a tab on the activities of their wards to curb the menace of cultism.
He also warned youths in the state to desist from joining unlawful societies that could only dim their future and ultimately claim their lives or that of other innocent persons.