CSOs, Police disagree over Edo ritualist’s den
22 August 2022 |
2:39 am
Different tales have trailed the discovery of an alleged ritualist’s den, with 20 corpses in Benin city, the Edo State capital, by the State Police Command.
Police
Obaseki gives seven days ultimatum to unravel crime
Different tales have trailed the discovery of an alleged ritualist’s den, with 20 corpses in Benin city, the Edo State capital, by the State Police Command.
While the State Police Command through the Commissioner of Police (CP), Abutu Yaro, said it uncovered the suspected ritual shrine on Wednesday, August 17 with 20 mummified bodies, along the Ekehuan Road area, the leadership and members of the Edo Civil Society Organisations (EDOCSO) led by its Interim Chairman, Austine Enabulele, disagreed, faulting the police for failing to conduct an investigation before addressing the media.
Enabulele, in a statement yesterday, said it became necessary to respond to the news and gory videos of the said den.
According to him, what the Edo State Police Command uncovered as a ritualist’s den with 20 mummified bodies, is a morgue with the operational name St. Gabriel Funeral Home with offices at No. 24, 1st Federal Road, Benin City, as well as other branches in Anambra State, Ebonyi State.
According to the statement signed by its interim Public Relations Officer, Aliyu Unweni, (EDOCSO) expressed worry over the development saying, “Edo people have no history of ritualism or its likes.”
“We await the final outcome of the police investigation on the subject matter and we believe it will be bold enough to put the record straight by stating the true position of the issues. Going forward, the police authority should always carry out an investigation before engaging the media. Crimes are not fought with media propaganda,” the group added.
MEANWHILE, Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has given the Edo State Police Command and other relevant authorities seven days ultimatum to unravel the true situation of the alleged discovery of ritualists’ den along Ekenwan Road axis of Benin City, the state capital.
This was disclosed during a briefing organised by the Edo State Government and the State Police Command, to provide an update on the latest development on the alleged ritual activities in the state.
Addressing newsmen, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Olawore Oluwole, called for calm among residents, assuring that the matter is being thoroughly investigated.
He said: “Based on credible intelligence, we invaded a bungalow located at Asoro, Ekenwan Road in Benin City where some dried bodies and items, like generators, gas and oxygen cylinder were found.
“Five suspects have already been arrested in connection with the incident. Those arrested include Chimobi Okosua, Samuel Okoh both from Afikpo in Ebonyi State; Gideon Sunday from Akwa-Ibom State; Victor Obeche from Anambra State and Yusuf Lawal from Katsina State; while one Otu Chukwu who was alleged to be the owner of the bungalow is still at large.”
The Deputy Commissioner of Police however appealed to members of the public to remain calm as the police are making frantic efforts to unravel the details of the incident.
Special Adviser to Edo State Governor on Media Projects, Crusoe Osagie, said the Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has given the relevant authorities seven days to unravel the truth about the discovery.
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