Mathew Amaechi
The Edo State Police Command has announced the arrest of 28 suspected cultists involved in cult-related activities across the state. The arrests were made during a raid on criminal hideouts in Benin City on June 4, 2025. Following thorough screening, 19 of the suspects were found culpable and charged to court.
Three of the suspects confessed to being members of cult groups, specifically the Eiye and Aye confraternities, and have been arraigned before the court. The police command is determined to tackle cultism in the state and has commenced house-to-house arrests of identified cult members.
Edo State Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, expressed confidence that the public would feel more secure due to the command’s efforts. He warned known cultists to either renounce cultism, leave the state, or face the full consequences of the law under the Edo State Secret Cult and Other Related Activities Prohibition Law.
The statement reads, “The Edo State Command has sustained its fight against crime through visibility policing, community engagements and sustained raids of criminal hideouts in the State.
“On 4/6/2025 between 16:00 hours and 22:00 hours, operatives of the Command carried out raids of criminal hideouts within Benin-City.
“During the raids, twenty-eight (28) persons were arrested and professionally screened where nineteen (19) of them found implicated, were charged to court.
“In continuation of its fight against cultism, the command has commenced the house-to-house arrests of identified cult members in the state to ensure that cultism is either eliminated or brought to its barest minimum.
“Three suspects who were arrested from various locations have confessed to being members of the Eiye and Aye confraternities respectively. They have been arraigned before the court accordingly.”
The Edo State Police Command’s crackdown on cultists demonstrates its commitment to maintaining law and order in the state. The arrests and arraignments serve as a warning to those involved in cult-related activities, and the public can expect increased security measures to prevent such activities.
