Five youth leaders, known locally as Okaighele, from communities in Oredo Local Government Area and allegedly linked to last Friday’s cult-related killings in parts of Benin City have gone into hiding.

Governor Monday Okpebholo has given the five a seven-day ultimatum to surrender to security agencies.

The fleeing youth leaders were identified as Enas, Koko, Amani Amani, Sparo and Dada.

They reportedly escaped shortly before operatives of the Edo State Special Security Squad carried out coordinated raids on the Amagba and Obagie communities.

During the operation, three suspected cultists allegedly connected to the killings were arrested. Security operatives also recovered fetish items, arms and ammunition from the suspects’ residences.

Those arrested were identified as Osazee Omoruyi, also known as Desmond Tutu, the youth leader of Obagie; and Innocent Okunozee. Both allegedly admitted belonging to cult groups but denied involvement in the killings.

A third suspect, Anito Osahon, denied membership of any cult group.

Omoruyi reportedly said he belongs to the Aiye confraternity but has not participated in any killing. He added that he resides with friends and engages in internet fraud.

He further claimed that a friend identified as Doviano brought the bag containing the arms and ammunition recovered from the residence.

According to him, “Doviano and Ekwe drove in early Sunday morning and started knocking at the gate, so I opened the gate for them. After dropping the bag, Doviano told me ‘town no safe,’ and that I should be careful, thereafter, they went under the tree outside the gate and started drinking and making calls. As they were drinking, I came outside to check on them and went back inside because if I move closer to them they will pause their discussion. So, I came inside and continued with my normal hustle.

“The next few minutes, I heard a knock at the gate, and when I went out to open, I discovered security operatives have surrounded the building.”

Okunozee confessed to be a member of Black Axe confraternity.

He said, “I was not caught with a Highlander. I was not even in the community that day of the arrest. I am the Okiaghale (yourh leader) of Obazagbon community. My CSO, Obayuwana Godspower owns the car. He is my brother, but I don’t know who owns the Riffle.

“I was not caught with such ammunition. I am aware he was arrested with the Highlander and that was why I came to meet the police, because my name has been mentioned in the whole thing.”

“I use the festish items for comedy in my skit. If you check Funny Home comedy you will find them. I don’t do anything like rituals, what I use them for is what I just mentioned.”

Spokesperson for the ESSC, Eribo Ewanta, said the Squad has made a huge success in its mandate to make the state crime free.

He said, “The following are on the run, Enas, Koko, Amani Amani, Sparo and Dada. They should come and surrounder themselves as well, or else we will track them down.” (The Nation)