…NEUTRALIZES ONE, RECOVERS SHOTGUN, VEHICLES
No fewer than 52 suspected members of the notorious “Black Axe” cult group have been arrested at Urohi in Esan West Local Government Area of Edo State during an initiation ceremony that was foiled by men of the Nigeria Police Force and Vigilante Group on Saturday night.
In a well-coordinated operation at Urohi Village, the Edo State Police Command in a statement signed by ASP Eno Ikoedem, Police Public Relations officer, Edo state Command stated that 27 suspected members of the Neo Black Axe Movement of Nigeria (A.K.A Black Axe) were apprehended.
Items recovered from them included one locally made shotgun; one live cartridge; one battle axe; one knife; one Toyota Camry with registration number AUC 377 LU; one Toyota Camry with registration number RBC 867 JJ; one Lexus RX Jeep without registration number; 51 cell phones of different make; 15 Pairs of different colors of Timberland boots and several Sling bags all containing substance suspected to be Indian hemp.
It was learnt that the operation, which took place on Saturday, 13th December, 2025, about 10:00pm, followed credible intelligence that the suspected cult group had converged in one of the villages Akugbe, about 18 kilometres from Ekpoma, for an initiation exercise.
However, based on discreet information gathering and acting on credible intelligence at the disposal of the command, the Divisional Police Officer, Ekpoma Division, Superintendent Nelson Igbinoba, swiftly, personally led the deployment of a combined team of Police tactical operatives, local vigilantes, and hunters to the location.
It was further learnt that 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 neutralized in the ensuing exchange.
The Commissioner of Police, Edo State Command, CP Monday Agbonika, has ordered for their immediate transfer to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for thorough investigation and onward prosecution.
While commending the operatives for their swift response and professionalism, he reassured members of the public of the Command’s unwavering commitment to combating cultism and all forms of criminality across the State.
He urged the residents to continue to support the Police with timely and credible information through the available emergency lines: 08077773721 and For Complaints;
CRU- 08100389992.
It was learnt that the suspected cult groups who are majorly students of the Ambrose Ali University, Ekpoma, were from Benin City, Ekpoma, Auchi and other undisclosed towns.
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