The Edo State Police Command has neutralised a suspected cultist and arrested 27 others during a late-night raid on an alleged initiation ceremony in Esan-West Local Government Area.
ASP Eno Ikoedem, the command’s Public Relations Officer, said the operation followed “credible intelligence” that members of the Neo Black Axe Movement, also known as Black Axe, had gathered in Urohi village, about 18 kilometres from Ekpoma.
The raid, conducted around 10:00 p.m. on Saturday, involved a combined team of police tactical operatives, local vigilantes, and hunters led by the Divisional Police Officer of Ekpoma Division, SP Nelson Igbinoba. Ikoedem said the operatives came under gunfire, during which one suspect was neutralised.
Recovered from the scene were firearms, dangerous weapons, vehicles, mobile phones, and substances suspected to be hemp.
Ikoedem added that the Commissioner of Police in Edo, Monday Agbonika, ordered the immediate transfer of all suspects to the State Criminal Investigations Department for investigation and prosecution.
“The commissioner commended the operatives for their swift response and professionalism, and assured the public of the command’s commitment to tackling cultism and other criminal activities in the state,” she said.
Residents were urged to continue providing credible information to support ongoing security efforts.