Benin City, Nigeria — The Edo State Police Command has confirmed the successful rescue of a kidnapped victim and the arrest of a suspected cultist involved in a shooting incident.
The command’s spokesperson, Moses Yamu, disclosed that the rescued victim, Osazee Okungbowa, was abducted by five armed men from his residence in the Power Line area of Owanoba community. Swift police intervention led to his release, reinforcing ongoing efforts to combat criminal activities in the state.
In a separate incident, security operatives arrested a suspected cultist, Kelly Osayawe, during a burial ceremony in the Aduwawa area. He was reportedly in possession of a locally fabricated cut-to-size pistol loaded with four live cartridges.
“The suspect fired shots into the air, injuring one Nzube Mbum, who was standing outside his shop. He attempted to flee but was swiftly apprehended by officers on duty,” Yamu stated.
Mbum sustained gunshot wounds to his hand, leg, and back, but is currently receiving medical attention. Meanwhile, authorities have intensified efforts to curb cult-related violence, which has contributed to rising insecurity in Edo State.
The arrest comes just days after the Edo State government enacted the Secret Cult and Similar Activities Prohibition Bill, 2025, imposing harsher penalties on individuals involved in cultism. Under the new law, anyone convicted of a cult-related killing faces the death penalty, while sponsors of cult activities risk 21 years in prison.
Cult violence remains a significant challenge in Edo, fueling unrest and crime. Between July and December 2023, the state recorded approximately 135 fatalities linked to cult clashes and communal disputes. From January 2021 to December 2023, over 180 deaths were attributed to gang violence, with a surge in December 2023 alone, when over 30 people were killed in rival clashes.
These figures highlight the urgent need for strategic interventions, combining law enforcement action with preventive measures to dismantle cult networks and restore lasting peace to the state.
By Taiwo Olatinwo | February 9, 2025
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