The Edo State Police Command has arrested seven suspected cultists in Benin City for allegedly assaulting a commercial motorcycle (Okada) rider at Peanut Junction along Benin-Sapele Road.

 

According to the Command’s Public Relations Officer, Moses Yamu, the suspects were apprehended by operatives from the Love World Division on Sunday, June 8, 2025.

 

The arrested individuals were identified as Erick Charles, Gift Nerese, Odion Osaro, Festus Osaghai, Owas Ighodaro, Samuel Sabi, and Destiny Bernard. Yamu added that two other suspects managed to escape during the operation, while two of those arrested confessed to being members of the Maphite Confraternity.

 

Items recovered from the scene include a pestle, a machete, one live cartridge, and a tricycle bearing registration number AUC 184 VH.

 

Yamu confirmed that the suspects would be charged to court once investigations are concluded. He also noted that the Command’s house-to-house arrest operations targeting known cultists are ongoing and will continue until cult-related activities are drastically reduced in the state.