As a way of checking the menace of cult clashes, the Edo State Government has handed a seven-day ultimatum to three Community Youth Leaders, popularly known as Okhaighele, to appear before the Special Security Squad, code-named “Operation Flush Out Cultist and Kidnappers”, over the recent resurgence of cult-related activities in Benin City.
The ultimatum is for them to appear before the security outfit in Government House to clear themselves of any complicity in the recent cult killings across the state.
However, the invitation was sequel to the recent cult killings in some parts of Benin City, the Special Security Squad led by the Principal Security Officer to Edo State Governor carried out a series of raids which led to the arrest of some suspected cultists at Amagba Community in Oredo and Obagie Community in Ikpoba-Okha local Government areas.
The Okhaighele of Obazagbon, Innocent Okunozee, who is alleged to be a member of the Black Axe Confraternity, is currently in custody, while those expected to turn themselves in include the Okhaighele of Obagie, Ofumwengbe and Ara Communities.
The squad, after a raid at Amagba Community, arrested two suspects who confessed to being members of the Black Axe Confraternity.
Spokesperson of the Squad, Eribo Enwanta, explained that preliminary investigations linked the Okaigheles and five others who escaped during the raid to a recent cult killing.
Enwanta explained that the Okhaeghele of Obazagbon Community, Innocent Okunozee, was arrested after weapons and live ammunition were found in a highlander jeep driven by the community’s Chief Security Officer, Mr Godspower Obayuwana.
Secretary of the Special Security Squad, John Izegaegbe, reiterated the mandate of Gov. Okpebholo to ensure a cult-free state through more arrests and prosecutions as investigations continue.
“You people are aware that the governor of Edo State has zero tolerance to cult related fighting and as a follow up any community such miscreants are not to seen around hence the combing of suspected communities”.
One of the suspects confessed to being an internet fraudster but denied his involvement in the recent killings in the State.
