Police Arrest Five Suspected Cultists, Recover Firearms In Edo

Five suspected cult members have been arrested by operatives of the Edo State Police Command during separate operations in Benin City.

The Commissioner of Police, Patrick Daaor, disclosed the arrests to journalists on Tuesday in Benin City.

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According to Daaor, one of the suspects, identified as 27-year-old Andrew Friday, was arrested on August 7, 2026, by operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit at Akpakpava.

The arrest followed a distress report received from Flight Transport Services in Akpakpava on August 5 after an unidentified man abandoned a sack he had brought for waybill to Benue State.

Police officers who searched the abandoned sack reportedly found three locally made Beretta pistols concealed under unripe plantains.

The Commissioner said technical intelligence and further investigation led to Friday’s arrest.

He added that the suspect allegedly confessed to sending the sack and admitted to being a member of the Aiye Secret Cult Confraternity.

According to Daaor, Friday claimed the firearms were given to him by a man identified only as Bance from Iyanomo Community. He allegedly said the weapons were meant to be repaired in Benue State and later used in an ongoing cult rivalry.

In a separate operation, four other suspected cult members were arrested at Egbaen Community, off Ekenhuan Road, Benin City.

The suspects were identified as Nuka Joseph, 27; Osatohamwen Ogor, 30; John Osewengie, 30; and Osezee Osayi, 29.

The operation was carried out by operatives of the Anti-Cultism and Anti-Kidnapping Unit in collaboration with personnel attached to the Government House Task Force.

Police said the operation led to the recovery of four locally fabricated pistols, one locally made Beretta pistol and one cut-to-size double-barrel gun.

The suspects allegedly confessed to belonging to the Aiye Confraternity Cult.

The police said investigations are ongoing to identify and arrest other persons linked to the suspects and the recovered firearms.

The Commissioner urged residents to remain vigilant and pay attention to suspicious activities involving their neighbours, friends, colleagues and loved ones.