Edo police parades over 45 suspected cultists, others, says new anti-cultism law eases prosecution of cultists
The Edo State Police Command has arrested and paraded over 45 suspects for involvement in various crimes in the Edo State.
Parading the suspects, the State Commissioner of Police, Funsho Adeboye, said the suspects were arrested over alleged kidnapping, cultism, armed robbery, and illegal possession of firearms, among others.
The Commissioner of Police described the rate of cult-related killings in the State as worrisome.
He stated that the police would not fold its hand and allow criminals hold the state to ransom, adding that the Police Command has the backing of the State Government in its drive to rid the state of criminals.
On the murder of a female final student of the University of Benin, he said, “I want to assure members of the public that the perpetrators can only run for a short period. They cannot escape. We are on their trail; we are getting very close to them. We have been given the matching order by the Inspector General of Police that the perpetrators must be apprehended and brought to book to face the music.
“I want to expantiate on this sad event and note that this is why the Executive Governor and his executives decided to change the law of cultism in this State. The decision is laudable. It has been assisting us. Before, we usually had it difficult to prosecute because there was no enabling law.”
He further stated that investigations so far have revealed that “gangsters associated with cultism or whatever name they give it, are criminals. It is ungodly, provoking and has been causing a lot of restiveness in Edo State. Our investigation thus far has been linked to this.”
He added, “I want to assure the relatives that the matching order given by the Inspector General of Police will be carried out. The Executive Governor has equally charged us. I want to assure the public that before the expiration of this ultimatum, the faces of the perpetrators will be made public.
“We thank God for this harvest. We are harvesting criminals, exhibits, and arms. With your collaboration, especially members of the press, we know we are going to arrest more.”
The Police Commissioner appealed to all stakeholders to continue to give useful information to enable the police to fight crimes and criminality in the State.
He listed the items recovered from the suspects to include several locally made single barrels, pump action guns, cut-to-size pistols, cartridges, and different types of phones among others.
Edo State Commissioner of Police, Funsho Adeboye (middle) addressing journalists in Benin City, on Monday, June 24, 2024.
