Crime

Edo: Special security squad arrests more cult leaders in Benin City

The squad set up by Governor Monday Okpebholo to keep Edo State safe, on Wednesday 16th July 2025, arrested more suspected criminals who are in the habit of creating tension in the State with their nefarious activities.

Published

11 months ago

July 17, 2025

Emmanuel Abiodun

The Special Security Squad, Operation Flush Out Kidnappers and Cultists, continued its operations across Benin metropolis raiding more criminal hideouts and making more arrests in a bit to ensure the safety of all in the State.

The team made up of the Military, Police, Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corp (NSCDC), hunters, vigilante groups, and repentant cultists, among other critical stakeholders in Edo State, identified some hotspots in Benin City as they embarked on arresting criminal elements.

Areas raided on Wednesday July 16, 2025 are: Obe Community at Sapele road, Iyowa Community, Evbonika and Azuwa village all in Benin City, in a bid to make the State habitable and safe for businesses and investments.

At Azuwa village in Ovia North East Local Government Area of Edo State, the team stormed the area following intelligence reports and made some arrests.

Also, at Evbonika village, they stormed a building suspected to be a gathering point for cult members, as they questioned the owner of the building searching the entire premises and their presence in the area has sent a strong signal to members of various cult groups, kidnappers and criminal elements in the State that the present administration means business.

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The campaign of flushing out criminal elements from the State is not just a rehtoric, but backed with action as the Governor Monday Okpebholo-led administration is serious in ensuring a safer State for Edo people.

Several arrests were made by the team at a hotel located along power line, off First Ugbor in the Government Reserved Area (GRA) of the State, where incriminating materials were found with the suspects.

Governor Monday Okpebholo who spoke after granting the approval to set up the security squad, said his administration will not tolerate the activities of criminals, and will not allow them to dictate the future of the State as his government has zero-tolerance stance for violent crimes.

The team has been admonished to follow the clear directive of Governor Monday Okpebholo in ensuring full implementation of the operation, as accountability, professionalism, and community engagement will remain the hallmark of the special squad.