Operatives of the Edo State Police command have arrested five suspects, Omoregbe Prosper (35) and Emmanuel Osayande (34), Osahenrumwen Aigbedion (36), Iria Nicholas and Oba Friday over alleged cultism.
It was gathered that three of the suspects – Omorogbe, Osayande and Aigbedion – were arrested on the Benin-Sapele road during a stop-and-search while Nicholas and Friday were arrested at Aviele community in Edo north.
The state police commissioner, Funsho Adeboye, said the suspects were arrested by the anti-cultism unit of the command.
He said the police received intelligence that members of the Black Axe secret cult were seen having a clandestine meeting in a house at Aviele, brandishing firearms for reprisal attacks on rival members.
He added that the police, in collaboration with vigilantes, swung into action and arrested the suspects, while others escaped.