Police arrest three cultists, recover weapons in Edo

Three suspected cultists have been nabbed by the Edo State Police Command along Uwasota Road in the Benin City area of the state.

The suspects include Godstime Osarenwendia, Ojo Adelomon, and Evans Okharia.

The incident reportedly occurred on April 20 at about 8:00 p.m.

A police source who asked not to be mentioned said while on a township patrol along Uwasota Road in Benin City, the Divisional Police Officer and his men from Ugbowo Division intercepted and caught one Godstime Osarenwendia, who had been on the command’s blacklist.

The source said, “On April 20, 2024, at about 2000 hrs, the Divisional Police Officer and his men from Ugbowo Division, Benin City, while on township patrol along Uwasota Road by Ojo Junction, Ugbowo, Benin City, intercepted and arrested one Godstime Osarenwendia, 27 years old, a notorious armed robber and cultist who has been on the black list of the command.”

The source further said that following a preliminary inquiry, the DPO of Ugbowo transferred the suspect to the command’s Crack Squad, and three single-barrel firearms, two locally manufactured pistol guns, and four live cartridges were recovered.

“The DPO Ugbowo, after a preliminary investigation, transferred the suspect to the command’s Crack team, where the suspect led the police to the recovery of the following items from him: Three cut-to-size single-barrel guns, two locally made pistol guns, and four live cartridges.”

When reached, Chidi Nwabuzor, the state Police Public Relations Officer, confirmed the incident to our correspondent.

He further said that the suspect admitted to being an armed robber who committed robberies in Ugbowo and the surrounding areas and being a member of the Eiye cult group.

He stated that as further investigation progressed, two other suspects were nabbed, adding that they would be charged in court.

“The suspect made a statement and confessed to being a member of the Eiye secret cult and also an armed robber who robbed Ugbowo and its environs. The operatives, while expanding their investigation, arrested Ojo Adelomon, 38 years old, and Evans Okharia, 22 years old, who are members of Godstime Osarenmwendia’s gang and secret cult group. Suspects will soon be charged in court,” he said.