By Owen Eresoyen, Benin
As part of an intensified crackdown on cult-related violence across the state, operatives of the Edo State Police Command have arrested a suspected cultist attempting to flee the state through the Benin Airport in the State capital.
The suspect, identified as Bello Salami, 33, an alleged member of the Maphite Confraternity, was intercepted at the airport last Saturday.
Bello Salami is linked to the recent gruesome murder of three vigilante operatives along Wire Road in Benin City.
The command also said it took into custody 15 other suspects, recovered deadly arms and ammunition during the coordinated operations carried out across Edo.
According to a statement issued by the Command spokesman CSP Moses Joel Yamu, the arrests followed credible intelligence and the command’s resolve to rid Edo State of criminal elements.
It was gathered that fleeing criminals out of Edo recently opted to be using the Benin Airport as a gateway after the State Commissioner of police strategically beefed up security on major roads and waterways across the State.
Our correspondent checks revealed that police officers’ visibility on major routes in and outside Benin City has increased significantly.
Detailing the successful operations, CSP Moses Joel Yamu stated that “in another development, on 26th June 2025 at about 1500hrs, while acting on credible Intelligence, operatives of the Aduwawa Division arrested the duo of Abdulahi Eriamiator 18yrs and Moses Humphrey 25yrs all members of the Vikings Confraternity.
“On the same date at about 1800hrs, operatives of the South Ibie Division arrested one Ahmed Hakeem, 23yrs a member of the Aye Confraternity.
He stated Further investigation led to the arrest of Williams Kayode 25yrs, David Sylvester 21yrs, Oshoke Itepu 22yrs, Emmanuel Monday 27yrs and Daniel Ehichioya 21yrs all residents of South Ibie in Etsako West LGA, as well as the recovery of one shotgun, four (4)live cartridges, two (2) battle axes, one (1) cutlass, a bunker of “ice” an illicit drug in their possession.
Iyamu stated that all of them have confessed to being members of the Aye Confraternity.”
The Police Public Relations Officer further added that operatives of Irrua division in Esan Central local government area of Edo State also arrested one Ogbe Osaghele, 29, of Ebhoakhuale-Ekpoma at Idumebo-Irrua with a cut-to-size shotgun and two (2) live cartridges.
He added that efforts are ongoing to apprehend one Odion Osaghele and two others now at large, who are also members of the Aye Confraternity.
