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Security Agencies Secure Court Order To Detain 22 Suspected Cultists
By Ikhili Ebalu, Benin City
The recent order by the Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki to the Edo Special Taskforce on Anti-Cultism and Edo State Security Network to flush out Cultists disturbing the peace in the state just as he condemned the killings by suspected cultists in part of the state has started yielding results.
With the sweeping efforts of the Security Agencies, the Department of State Security Services ,DSS, on Wednesday arranged 22 suspected Cultists at the Edo State High court to obtain Exparte Order to detain the suspects until they complete their investigation.
The counsel to the DSS who in an Exparte Motion told the court that the department needs more time to complete their investigation.
The 22 suspected Cultists who are between the ages of twenty two to thirty five years were brought in an unmarked bus.
The presiding Judge, Justice A. Erhabor granted the order of two weeks, which will end by 2nd of December 2024.
Edo State Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Chris Nehikhare, who is a member of the Edo State Special Task Force on Anti-Cultism on Wednesday last week said that there is no breathing space for cultists and cult related activities in Edo State.
According to Nehikhare the Edo State Special Task Force on Anti-Cultism expressed worry over the recent disturbance by suspected cultists , saying that the violent clashes between rival cult groups in Benin City was been investigated with a series of arrests made, and efforts are ongoing to apprehend other key actors and fleeing suspects.
He maintained that the cult violence resulted in the loss of energetic indigenes of the state.
According to him , preliminary investigations indicate that the violence involved members of the Eiye and Vikings confraternities, reportedly battling for supremacy within the impacted area.
“Upon receiving intelligence about this situation, the Edo State Special Task Force on Anti-Cultism immediately intensified patrols and launched a manhunt for the key leaders of the identified groups. The swift and coordinated response of the task force successfully contained the violence, preventing further bloodshed and averting potential escalation.
Stating that a series of arrests have already been made, and efforts are ongoing to apprehend other key actors and fleeing suspects.
Patrol operations have also been reinforced in identified hotspots to forestall any resurgence of violence.”Nehikhare said.
The Task Force reassured the public and Edo residents of the safety of their lives and property adding that there will be no rest until every identified leader and member involved in these dastardly acts are arrested and brought to justice.
The government noted that the current state of insecurity in the state would not be tolerated, and the Edo State Commissioner of Police has been mandated to ensure the restoration of order and sanity in the State.
The state government restates its commitment to ensuring the safety of lives and property in the State.
