By Kingsley Enasco Eben, Benin
The behind the scene activities of some lately in Benin Edo State government officials over cultist killing has been exposed Barely 24 hours after the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Solomon Arase dispatched a Special Squad to combat the spate of rampaging cultism, kidnapping and other crime related activities that had recently created fear in the metropolis.
The National Reformer gathered that over 11 suspected leaders among them, four state government functionaries of the cult groups in the state have been arrested thus far, by the team. Police sources ably revealed that the crack team led by the Deputy Commissioner of Police Edo State, in charge of Federal Special anti-robbery squad FED SARS, Chris Ezike stormed the hideout of the cultists few hours on arriving Benin – City and successfully apprehended leaders of the embattled cult Allies for an alleged complicity and murder of 10 persons in the last one month of the fracas.
The suspected cult group leaders were apprehended on their alleged involvement over the murder of one Mr. Ojo Ayeadu, 55, at old Benin – Auchi Road and nine others at different locations in Benin metropolis.
According to a source who pleaded for anonymity, said, “those arrested from what we gathered are Junior workers of the “War against indiscipline responsible for traffic offenders in Benin City”.
Narrating the ordeal further by the source, he explained that, the State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole doesn’t condone cultism and as such ordered with immediate effect the arrest of one of his bodyguards who was accused of infraction of the law.
However, the Police Public Relation Officer, AG Commissioner, Mr. Emmanuel Ojukwu disclosed to us on the phone when he was asked to comment on the inferno.
He said, “Yes a good number of arrest has been made, irrespective of their of their status. The figures are still coming in. the trust of the IG is yielding positive results”.
Sources said, notable faces of the government functionaries includes, Engr. David Olukoga, 46, the Chairman of Edo State Committee on War Against Indiscipline and Senior Special Assistant on Youth Enhancement to the Governor of the State, Osunde Aigbedo, 48, Excutive Director, Special Duties, Government House, Edo State, Dr. Salako Adebowale 43, of UBTH, Benin City, Ernest Amadasun 49, the Managing Director Polien Investments and National Coordinator, Human Assistant Initiative and Adebo Ejuajo, 46, of the Ministry of Education, Science and Tech. Vocational, Iyaro, Benin City.
Other arrested suspects according to the police sources includes, Isibor Larry 34, Staff Edo State House of Assembly, Totti Omonuwa, 42, Igun Street Benin City, Ahunwan – ID Orlando, 39 of No. 2 Ighodalo Street, Joshua Ehiabhi 36, of No. 11 Upper Mission Road, Off Ewa road, Felix Evbuodi, 46, of No. 12 Aibeigbe Street, and Uche Chukwuka, 36, the Private Secretary to the Chairman, Committee on Environment, Ministry of Environment Edo State.
The embattled government officers were alleged to belong to Eiye, Black axe, Buccaneers, and Jurist confraternities respectively.
The suspects however denied any form of involvement in the murder change, but made very useful statements to the police.
Meanwhile, the IG in his stead has ordered a robust and coordinated patrol team to include all Area Commanders, and Divisional Police Officers to partake in the special operations.
