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From Tony Osauzo, Benin
The Edo State Security Squad, codenamed “Operation flush out Kidnappers and Cultists”, yesterday, announced that it has arrested 14 suspects in connection with the cult related killing in Auchi, Etsako West local Government.
Tension was said to have heightened at Abiodun Motor Park, Jattu Junction, as residents, commuters and business owners ran for their lives as suspected cultists shot and killed a middle-aged man.
Following the killing, the Chief Security Officer (CSO) and the Principal Security Officer (PSO) to governor Monday Okpebholo, led other security agencies to raid criminal hideouts in Edo North Senatorial District.
The team demolished Abiodun Motor Park and the Nigeria Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) park at Jattu Junction.
The squad also raided Tripple J &J Hotel Aviele where suspects were arrested. The presence of the team was felt at Igbira Camp, Warrake road, Akpekpe and other areas, raiding the hideouts of criminal elements disturbing the peace of Edo North Senatorial District.
The suspects were arrested at the said hotel in Aviele following intelligence reports that the killing of the young man was planned at the hotel and the suspects moved from the hotel to carry out the dastardly act at the Jattu motor park.
After the arrest, the hotel was said to have been sealed and the squad acting on intelligent report, moved to Igbira Camp where the prime suspects, Anefi Kassim lived. He could not be arrested as the squad found him absent at home.
According to investigation, the said Anefi Kassim is a member of Juris Confraternity, ESSC, while Idris Mustapha who is also at large is a member of ESSC and both were given 24 hours to report at the Area Command Auchi.
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The squad has ordered the Auchi Sector commander of ESSC under whose command they work to produce both suspects to face justice.
Speaking on the arrest, the spokesperson for the squad, Eribo Ewanta, said following the Monday killing, governor Okpebholo gave the team a matching under to restore peace and arrest those behind the act.
“We are here today and have arrested some suspects connected to the killing and they are helping security agencies with useful information that will help in further arrest of all others at large including the masterminder of the killing.
“Governor Monday Okpebholo’s administration will not allow any form of criminality in Edo State as criminals will no longer be safe operating in the State.
“The parks at Jettu junction where the young man was killed have been demolished because they are operating and collecting revenue which has been banned by the Okpebholo-led administration.
“The Governor has banned unauthorised revenue collection across the State but in this park in Jattu they are still engaged in illegal revenue collection. The property will be utilised for the benefits of Edo people as the governor will bring development here”.
At the residence of the prime suspects one Anefi Kassim, Ewanta said the suspect is a member of Juris Confraternity.
He said investigation revealed that the whole problem of the killing started from him. “We are giving the sector commander of ESSC Auchi, 24 hours to produce Anefi Kassim and Idris Mustapha who are key suspects in the Auchi killing. Failure to do that, they will be declared wanted”, Ewanta stated.
