The Edo State Security Corps has arrested 14 suspects in connection with a cult-related killing in Auchi, Etsako West Local Government Area of the state.

It was gathered that last week, tension heightened at Abiodun Motor Park, Jattu Junction, as residents, commuters, and business owners ran for their lives after suspected cultists shot and killed a middle-aged man.

Following the killing, the Chief Security Officer and Principal Security Officer to Governor Monday Okpebholo led other security agencies on a raid of criminal hideouts in the Edo North Senatorial District from Wednesday to Friday.

The operation led to the arrest of 14 suspects, while two others, who are also members of the ESSC, are still at large.

At Jattu Junction, the team demolished Abiodun Motor Park and the Nigeria Union of Road Transport Workers park.

According to a statement on Sunday by the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Monday Okpebholo, Patrick Ebojele, the squad also raided Triple J & J Hotel, Aviele, where suspects were arrested.

The team also operated in Igbira Camp, Warrake Road, Akpekpe, and other areas, targeting hideouts of criminal elements disturbing the peace of Edo North Senatorial District.

The suspects were arrested at the said hotel following intelligence reports that the killing of the young man was planned there, after which the suspects allegedly moved from the hotel to carry out the act at Jattu Motor Park.

After the arrest, the hotel was sealed. The squad, acting on intelligence reports, later moved to Igbira Camp, where the prime suspect, Anefi Kassim, was said to reside, but he was not found.

According to investigations, Kassim is a member of the Juris Confraternity, while Idris Mustapha, who is also at large, is said to be a member of the ESSC. Both were given 24 hours to report to the Area Command, Auchi.

The squad has ordered the Auchi sector commander of the ESSC, under whose command they operate, to produce both suspects to face justice.

Speaking on the arrests, the spokesperson for the squad, Eribo Ewanta, said Okpebholo gave the team a marching order to restore peace and arrest those behind the killing.

He said, “We have arrested 14 suspects connected to the killing, and they are helping security agencies with useful information that will help in the arrest of all others at large, including the mastermind of the killing.

“Governor Monday Okpebholo’s administration will not allow any form of criminality in Edo State, as criminals will no longer be safe operating in the state.

“The parks at Jattu Junction, where the young man was killed, have been demolished because they are operating and collecting revenue, which has been banned by the Okpebholo-led administration.

“The governor has banned unauthorised revenue collection across the state, but in this park in Jattu, they are still engaged in illegal revenue collection. The property will be utilised for the benefit of the Edo people, as the governor will bring development here.”

He added that investigations revealed the killing originated with Kassim.

“We are giving the sector commander of ESSC, Auchi, 24 hours to produce Anefi Kassim and Idris Mustapha, who are key suspects in the Auchi killing. Failure to do that, they will be declared wanted,” he said. (The PUNCH)

Update news