From Ighomuaye Lucky, Benin
The Edo State Police Command, yesterday, arrested one Emeka Ogwu, 27, for allegedly stealing an armoured cable belonging to the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) while 12 other suspects were arrested for their alleged involvement in cultism.
The Edo State command Police Public Relations Officer, SP Chidi Nwabuzor, said the police arrested Ogwu while on patrol along Upper Mission/Upper Lawani axis, Benin City, following a distress call.
He said the suspect and one other were seen vandalizing armoured cable belonging to BEDC in their community, but the suspect was arrested while his accomplices escaped.
SP Nwabuzor said the armoured cable that was cut in sizeable pieces by the suspects was recovered from the suspect.
The Police Public Relations Officer further said the Anti-Kidnapping and Cyber Crime Unit of the command also arrested 12 suspected members of Eiye secret cult at Uza Street, Esigie, Benin City.
He said the suspects were having a clandestine meeting on how to attack rival secret cult when police stormed the scene and arrested the suspects while others escaped.
He listed the suspects to include
Ama success 19, Odion Sunday 23,
Elinana Omon 23, Famous Prosper 23, Joseph Ikehinde 22, Junior Uwadia ’22, Cyrillic Omonhe 20, Charles Friday 20, Uyi Ewansiha 33, Ibrahim Abdulmalik 22, Uyi Okogiewe 19 and Ogbonna Maduabuchi 30.
One of the suspected cultists, who spoke to newsmen, said he joined Eiye cult because of oppression from other rival cult group.
” I joined secret cult because of oppression. Young boys like me used to collect items from me on the road, so I decided to join so as to stop the oppression but now, I regret joining secret cult.”