Police apprehend five suspected cultists with firearms in Edo
Edo State Police Arrest Five Suspected Cultists
BENIN CITY, Nigeria — Operatives of the Edo State Police Command have arrested five individuals suspected of cult activity, following a series of operations in the region, Commissioner of Police Patrick Daaor announced on Tuesday.
In a notable case, a 27-year-old suspect, identified as Andrew Friday, was taken into custody on August 7, 2026, in Akpakpava by the Anti-Kidnapping Unit. This arrest followed a report received on August 5 from Flight Transport Services in Akpakpava regarding an abandoned sack that a man had attempted to send via waybill to Benue State.
Upon investigation, police discovered that the sack contained unripe plantains concealing three locally made Beretta pistols. Authorities established that Friday sent the package and later admitted to being a member of the Aiye Secret Cult Confraternity. He claimed the firearms were given to him by an individual named Bance, reportedly from the Iyanomo Community, for repairs intended to support an ongoing cult rivalry in Benue State. The investigation is ongoing as police seek additional suspects connected to this case.
In a separate operation, the police arrested four more suspected cult members in Egbaen Community, off Ekenhuan Road. The arrests were executed by the Anti-Cultism and Anti-Kidnapping Unit, who acted on credible intelligence in collaboration with personnel from the Government House Task Force. The suspects—Nuka Joseph (27), Osatohamwen Ogor (30), John Osewengie (30), and Osezee Osayi (29)—were apprehended alongside the recovery of several firearms, including four locally fabricated pistols and one double-barrel cut-to-size gun.
The Commissioner stated that the suspects also confessed to being members of the Aiye Confraternity Cult and emphasized that efforts to arrest additional members of the syndicate are underway.
Daaor urged community members to remain vigilant and look out for one another, encouraging residents to pay attention to their neighbors, friends, and family members to help enhance local safety.
