Police arrest 46 suspected cultists in Edo

The Police in Edo arrested 46 suspected cultists ‎in Esan West Local Government Area of Edo State on Thursday.

The Commissioner of Police in Edo, Mr Chris Ezike, who confirmed the arrest to newsmen, said it was part of the efforts by the command to maintain law and order in the state.

According to the police, the suspects were arrested during a raid in Ekpoma, following recent cult clashes recorded in the town, which also hosts the Ambrose Alli University.

Ezike noted that the suspects were being screened by intelligence officers from the command.

He recalled that the command had vowed to make Edo uncomfortable for criminals when he ‎read the riot act to senior officers and the rank and file of the command on Sept. 14.

He said, “Cultists are criminals; I will not allow them to operate in Edo. You know there was a cult war in Ekpoma recently. So, I directed that the situation must be brought under control.

“And since the raid which lasted for two days, Ekpoma is now calm. We arrested 46 suspects. Pump action and AK47 rifles and ammunition were recovered from them; we are screening them,’’ he said.