The Edo State Police Command has arrested nine suspects for kidnapping, cultism, robbery and other related offences.
The command’s spokesperson, Eno Ikoedem, disclosed this in a statement released on Sunday, saying the arrests were made during intelligence-driven operations carried out within the past week across Benin City.
She said, “The Edo State Police Command recorded notable operational successes across the Benin City metropolis within the past week, following sustained intelligence-led patrols, rapid response to distress calls, and proactive crime-fighting strategies under the leadership of the Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika.”
In the early hours of Saturday, January 25, 2026, credible intelligence was received about repeated gunshots from a residence along Erediuwawa Street, off Sapele Road, Benin City. Operatives of the Eagle Crack Unit were immediately deployed to the area, leading to the arrest of one Emmanuel Omorodion, 41, after a hot chase, while others escaped. A double-barrel gun and one live cartridge were recovered from him.
She stated, “Similarly, following actionable intelligence on cult-related criminal activities within the Eyaen axis of Benin City, operatives of the Intelligence Rapid Response Team moved against a suspected criminal gang alleged to be involved in kidnapping, extortion, cultism, and other violent acts terrorising residents.”
According to the police, intelligence revealed that the group was holding a meeting at Ibojije Hotel, Eyaen, prompting a raid by the IRT, which resulted in the arrest of the alleged kingpin, Usifo Omojale, alongside five others.
Ikoedem said, “The suspects, Imafidon Jesurobo Frank, 31; Godstime Iliyoma, 23; Lukeman Itsagwode, 38; Usifoh Omomgiade, 31; and Ibhafidon Omonkhegbe, 35, have all confessed to being members of the Aye confraternity cult.”
She added that investigations were ongoing to dismantle the entire network and that the suspects would be arraigned in court.
In another operation on Thursday, January 23, 2026, at about 2:40 a.m., operatives of the Ugbor Division, in collaboration with the Edo State Security Network, responded to a distress call reporting an armed robbery incident at Uwadia Street, off Ogunmenyi Community. One suspect, Gondas Innocent, was arrested after sustaining pellet injuries during an exchange of gunfire.
The spokesperson said, “Recovered from the suspect were three machetes, one laptop, one Apple iPhone, a clipper, and some clothing items, while another suspect, Tasman Nanman, was arrested at an uncompleted building identified as their hideout.”
She assured that investigations into all the cases were ongoing and that all suspects would be prosecuted in accordance with the law.
Ikoedem reaffirmed the command’s commitment to sustained patrols, intelligence-led policing and collaboration with other security agencies to ensure the safety of lives and property across the state.
She also urged residents to continue to provide timely and credible information to the police, noting that community cooperation remains critical to effective policing.
PUNCH Online had earlier reported that the command arrested at least 14 suspects over cult-related activities involving the hijacking of a corpse and an attempt to stop a burial, during which two commercial motorcyclists were injured.
