The police in Edo State have paraded a Turkey-based Nigerian businessman, Nelson Onaiwu (34), for involvement in cult-related clashes in the state.
In an interview with journalists, Onaiwu said, “I am a graduate of the Ambrose Ali University, Ekpoma. I’m based in Turkey. I came to Nigeria last two months because of my marriage. I am a member of Neo Black Movement, but I didn’t involve in any cult fight.”
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He said he was driving out on Monday to buy drugs for his sick mother when police arrested him and others in his car, adding that they didn’t find anything incriminating on them.
Onaiwu was among six other suspected cultists paraded by the command’s spokesperson, Chidi Nwanbuzor, on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, Abutu Yaro.
Nwanbuzor said the suspects were arrested in various quarters at Ogbiyokho area in Ekenhuan axis of Benin City in the effort of the police to fight cultism in the state following recent cult clashes.
He said the suspects were members of Eiye, Aiye, Vikings, Maphite confraternities, as well as Neo Black Movement, noting that over seven persons were killed last week following a cult-related fight.
According to him, the police have arrested over 30 suspects since the clampdown on cult groups began in the state.