Police arrest cultists in Benin

The police have arrested 56 persons for alleged involvement in cult-related killings in Benin, Edo State.

A Special crack squad deployed by the Inspector-General of Police, Solomon Arase, apprehended the suspects, including 11 men who were said to be highly placed persons.

A statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, Emmanuel Ojukwu in Abuja on Thursday, stated that the suspects who were arrested from different locations in the state, are currently undergoing interrogation.

It said, “The intervention of the Inspector-General of Police, Solomon Arase, in the troublesome cultism-related violent crimes in Edo State has started yielding positive results.

“The Special Crack Squad designated for the assignment, had on May 12, 2015 through vigorous intelligence, arrested highly placed persons from different locations in the state who are ring leaders of cult groups linked to recent cult-related killings in the state.

“At the moment, a total of 56 suspected vicious cultists linked to the recent violence in the state have been rounded up by the Squad and are undergoing interrogation.”

The IG reiterated that no criminal would be spared, no matter how highly placed.

He expressed appreciation to members of the public, particularly in Edo State on the achievement made so far by the Squad, and said that adequate measures would continue to be put in place to ensure safety of lives and property nationwide.