Police raid cult initiation ceremony in Edo, kill one

File: Police Officers

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One person has died while 27 suspected cultists were arrested during initiation at Urohi Village, Esan West Local Government Area of the state.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Eno Ikoedem, disclosed this in a statement on Monday.

Ikoedem said the arrest was made on December 13 at about 10:00pm, following credible intelligence.

The statement read, “During a coordinated operation at Urohi Village, Esan West Local Government Area of the State, the Edo State Police Command arrested 27 suspected members of the Neo Black Axe Movement of Nigeria (Black Axe). The operation, which took place on Saturday, December 13, 2025, at about 10:00pm, followed credible intelligence that the suspected cult group had converged in the area, about 18 kilometres from Ekpoma, for an initiation exercise.

“Acting on credible intelligence at the disposal of the command, the Divisional Police Officer, Ekpoma Division, SP Nelson Igbinoba, was swiftly deployed to lead a combined team of Police tactical operatives, local vigilantes, and hunters to the location.

“During the attempt to arrest the suspects, one of the cultists opened fire on the police and in a fierce gun duel, the suspect was neutralised. Twenty-seven suspects were successfully arrested, while the following items were recovered and registered as exhibits, one locally made shotgun, one live cartridge, one battle axe, one knife and a Toyota Camry with registration number AUC 377 LU.

“Also recovered is another Toyota Camry with registration number RBC 867 JJ, one Lexus RX Jeep without registration number, 51 cell phones of different makes, 15 pairs of different colours of Timberland boots and several sling bags all containing substance suspected to be Indian hemp.”

The Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, ordered the immediate transfer to the State Criminal Investigation Department for thorough investigation and onward prosecution. He also commended the operatives for their swift response and professionalism.

Agbonika reassures members of the public of the command’s unwavering commitment to combating cultism and all forms of criminality across the State.

He urged residents to continue to support the police with timely and credible information through the available emergency lines.

In October, the Delta State Police Command arrested four suspected cultists for initiating a toddler into their group in the Sapele area of the state.

In a viral video, the toddler was seen blindfolded by the suspects while pouring hot drink into his mouth.

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