Three suspected cultists allegedly linked to Friday, February 13, cult-related killings in Benin City were arrested in a joint raid by the Edo State Special Security Squad (ESSC), and operatives of the state police command.

The suspects were arrested at Amagba and Obagie communities, Benin, during the joint raid, as fetish items, arms and ammunition were recovered from their homes.

Out of the three suspects, Osazee Omoruyi alias Desmond Tutu and Innocent Okunozee, the Okiaghale (youth leader) of Obagie community, confessed to be cultists respectively, but denied involvement in the killings, while Anito Osahon, who was weeping profusely denied belonging to any cult group nor killings.

Omoruyi and Osahon were said to be arrested on Sunday morning by the joint security operatives in a bungalow at Amagba, GRA, where two pump-action guns, a pistol, and ammunition were found, while Okunozee was allegedly arrested with a Highlander Jeep, with a rifle in a separate raid on the same Sunday, before they were formally presented to newsmen on Tuesday.

Speaking at the scene of his arrest (he was taken back to the bungalow where he and Osahon were arrested), Omoruyi said though he belongs to the Aiye confraternity, he has not been involved in any killing, adding that he stays with some of his guy to hustle (Internet fraud).

When asked how the arms and ammunition got to the house where he stays, he said he doesn’t know anything about the ammunition, adding that his friend called Doviano came in with the bag containing the arms and ammunition early Sunday morning

He confessed: “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.”

Omoruyi, who said he met his cult-friends in the Benin Zone and that he had been a member since 2012. He named the friends that stayed with him in the bungalow as Enas, Ekwu, Emani, Dada, Sparo, Doviano, adding that they all belong to the same confraternity.

On the other hand, Okunozee, who took security operatives and newsmen to his apartment in a six flats Duplex in Obagie community, Benin City, confessed that he belongs to Black Axe confraternity, but denied being arrested with a Highlander, adding that his Chief Security Officer (CSO) identified as Obayuwana Godspower owns the Highlander.

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 rifle.

“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.”

Asked what he does with the fetish items that were recovered from his apartment, Okunozee said: “I use them 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.”

Briefing newsmen, Eribo Ewanta, the spokesperson for the ESSC, said the suspects were arrested following intelligence gathered.

Ewanta, who said the squad has made a huge success in its mandate to make the state crime free, gave the Okiaghales of Obagie, Ofumwengbe, Ara communities seven days ultimatum to surrender themselves to the state government or be arrested anywhere they are, adding that the state government is closer to them than they can imagine.

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