Edo Govt declares eight suspected cultists wanted, give 7-day ultimatum to 3 youth leaders
Edo State Government Declares Eight Wanted Over Cult-Related Activities
The Edo State Government has declared eight individuals wanted for their alleged involvement in recent cult-related violence in the state.
Among those sought are three youth leaders from local communities, known colloquially as “Okiagheles,” alongside five suspected cult members. Chief Press Secretary Dr. Patrick Ebojele announced this development in a statement released on February 16, 2026, in Benin City.
The government has issued a seven-day ultimatum for the three youth leaders to report to the State Special Security Squad, referred to as “Operation Flush Out Cultists and Kidnappers,” to address allegations connected to recent killings in the area.
The suspects’ nicknames include Enas, Koko, Amani Amani, Sparol, and Dada. Although these names are not their legal identities, the statement indicated that the suspects are familiar with one another.
The youth leaders from the communities of Obagie, Ofumwengbe, and Ara have been specifically ordered to report to the Special Security Squad.
In a related development, Innocent Okunozee, the Okiaghele of Obazagbon community and a suspected member of the Black Axe confraternity, has been taken into custody. Authorities arrested Okunozee after weapons and live ammunition were discovered in a vehicle driven by his cousin, Mr. Godspower Obayuwana, who serves as the Chief Security Officer for the community.
Eribo Enwanta, spokesperson for the State Special Security Squad, explained that their recent operations followed escalating violence in Benin. The squad conducted raids in the Amagba community in Oredo and the Obagie community in Ikpoba-Okah local government areas, leading to the detention of multiple suspected cultists.
During a raid in Amagba, two suspected Black Axe members, identified as Osazee Omoruyi and Osahon Anito, were apprehended. Preliminary investigations have linked the Okiagheles and additional suspects who fled the scene to the recent violence.
Enwanta emphasized that intelligence reports contributed to recent successes against the Aye cult, with two members arrested on Yuwa Kokoma Street in Amagba GRA. He reiterated the squad’s commitment to ensuring public safety by reducing crime and violence.
The spokesperson urged community members and citizens throughout the state to assist in locating the wanted individuals by contacting relevant security agencies with any information.
He also called on the fleeing suspects to surrender voluntarily, stressing that they would eventually be apprehended regardless of their efforts to evade capture.
Osazee Omoruyi, one of the individuals arrested in Amagba, admitted to being an internet fraudster and a member of the Black Axe confraternity. Although he confirmed his membership since 2012, he denied involvement in the recent killings. He claimed that an associate, known as Doviani, brought a Lexus SUV and a bag containing weapons and photographs home the day before his arrest.
