Police storm cultists' meeting in Edo, arrest 2 suspects and recover firearm

Thursday, May 28, 2026 - The Edo State Police Command has disrupted a cultists' gathering in Ohonre community, Benin City and arrested two suspects. 

The spokesperson for the command, ASP Eno Ikoedem disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday, May 27, 2026.

According to the PPRO, operatives attached to Ugbowo Division responded to a distress report indicating that some suspected cult members were converging in the community.

The police team stormed the location and arrested two suspects while others escaped. 

The suspects identified as Victor Peter and Iyemoma Ogbewe, confessed to being members of the notorious Maphite cult group. 

"The Edo State Police Command has recorded another operational breakthrough following the swift disruption of a suspected cultists’ gathering in Ohonre Community, off Adolor College Road, Benin City,” the statement read.

"On 21st May, 2026, at about 1900hrs, operatives attached to Ugbowo Division who were on surveillance patrol responded to a distress report concerning the movement and gathering of some suspected cult members within the community.

"Acting promptly on the information, the police team mobilized to the location. On sighting the operatives, the suspects fled in an attempt to evade arrest. 

"The operatives immediately gave them a hot chase, leading to the arrest of two suspects identified as Victor Peter ‘M’, 21 years and Iyemoma Ogbewe ‘M’, 35 years.

"A search conducted on the suspects led to the recovery of one cut-to-size gun believed to have been in their possession for unlawful purposes.

"Upon investigation, the suspects confessed to being members of the notorious Maphite cult group. 

"Efforts are ongoing to identify and apprehend other fleeing gang members.

"The Commissioner of Police, CP Monday Agbonika, fdc, commended the swift response of the operatives and reiterated the Command’s resolve to deny criminal elements any opportunity within Edo State. 

“He further urged residents to continue providing timely and credible information to the Police, assuring that all reports would receive prompt attention.”