Operatives of the Edo State Police Command have arrested nine suspects over alleged kidnapping, cultism, robbery, and related offences in Benin City.

The command’s spokesperson, Eno Ikoedem, said yesterday that the arrests followed intelligence-driven operations carried out within the past week across the city.

She said the successes were achieved through rapid response to distress calls and proactive crime-fighting strategies under the leadership of the Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika.

“In the early hours of Saturday, January 25, 2026, credible intelligence was received about repeated gunshots from a residence along Erediuwawa Street, off Sapele Road, Benin City. Operatives of the Eagle Crack Unit were immediately deployed to the area, leading to the arrest of one Emmanuel Omorodion, 41, after a hot chase, while others escaped. A double-barrel gun and one live cartridge were recovered from him,” the command said.

According to the police, further actionable intelligence on cult-related activities in the Eyaen axis of Benin City led operatives of the Intelligence Rapid Response Team to raid a suspected gang meeting at Ibojije Hotel, Eyaen. The operation resulted in the arrest of an alleged kingpin, Usifo Omojale, alongside five others.

“The suspects, Imafidon Jesurobo Frank, 31; Godstime Iliyoma, 23; Lukeman Itsagwode, 38; Usifoh Omomgiade, 31; and Ibhafidon Omonkhegbe, 35, have all confessed to being members of the Aye confraternity cult,” the police said.
The command said investigations were ongoing to dismantle the entire network, adding that the suspects would be arraigned in court.

In a related development, the police said that on Thursday, January 23, 2026, at about 2:40 a.m., operatives of the Ugbor Division, in collaboration with the Edo State Security Network, responded to a distress call over an armed robbery incident at Uwadia Street, off Ogunmenyi Community. One suspect, Gondas Innocent, was arrested after sustaining pellet injuries during an exchange of gunfire.

Recovered from him were three machetes, one laptop, one Apple iPhone, a clipper and some clothing items, while another suspect, Tasman Nanman, was arrested at an uncompleted building identified as their hideout.

The command said investigations into all the cases were ongoing and that all suspects would be prosecuted in accordance with the law.
Ikoedem urged residents to continue providing timely and credible information to the police, noting that community cooperation remains critical to effective policing.