Operatives of the Edo State Special Security Squad, codenamed \u201cOperation Flush Out Cultists and Kidnappers,\u201d have arrested nine suspected cultists and recovered a cache of firearms during a raid in Iguoshodin N\u2019 Ikpemaba, Ovia North East Local Government Area of the state.
The Coordinator of the squad, Idemudia Noah, confirmed the development in a statement on Wednesday, noted that the operation was conducted in collaboration with other security agencies and community stakeholders following credible intelligence from residents.
According to him, the team responded to a distress call in the early hours of September 3, 2025, after reports that cult members were harassing residents of the area.
\u201cOn arrival, our men moved swiftly and arrested nine suspects. A thorough search of the area led to the recovery of two Baretta pistols, two cut-to-size double-barrel guns, and live AK-47 ammunition,\u201d Noah said.
He disclosed that the arms were discovered in a building allegedly owned by Mr Osazuwa Igbineweka, the Okaighele of Omi, who has since been declared wanted by the police for allegedly posing a security threat in the community.
Noah explained that the suspects are believed to be members of the Eiye confraternity, a cult group notorious for violent clashes and criminal activities in parts of Edo State.
\u201cFrom intelligence gathered and from the relief expressed by residents, it is clear that some of those arrested belong to the Eiye cult group. Their arrest has restored confidence among the people who are pleased to see decisive action being taken,\u201d he added.
The Coordinator stressed that the weapons recovered were not civilian arms but prohibited firearms linked to organized criminal networks.
\u201cAmong the weapons recovered were Baretta pistols, cut-to-size double-barrel shotguns, and AK-47 ammunition, all of which point to the extent of the threat posed by these individuals,\u201d Noah explained.<\/p>\r\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Operatives of the Edo State Special Security Squad, codenamed \u201cOperation Flush Out Cultists and Kidnappers,\u201d have arrested nine suspected cultists and recovered a cache of firearms during a raid in Iguoshodin N\u2019 Ikpemaba, Ovia North East Local Government Area of the state. The Coordinator of the squad, Idemudia Noah, confirmed the development in a statement […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":252,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1708","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"yoast_head":"\n