Edo taskforce arrests 20 suspected kidnappers, cultists
No fewer than 20 persons have been arrested by operatives of the Special Security Squad codenamed “Operation Flush Out Kidnappers and Cultists” in Edo State.
DAILY POST reports that the team was set up by the State Governor, Monday Okpebholo.
The suspects were arrested on Tuesday when the team raided Isiohor, Iguosa, Oluku, Ibiwe/Lagos Street, and other notorious hideouts for criminals.
Many of the suspects were reported to have been arrested with drugs, dangerous weapons, and other incriminating materials.
Speaking after the operation, John Adewale Eseikhaigbe, a member of the Edo State Special Security Squad Against Cultism and Kidnapping, commended the state governor for setting up the team.
Eseikhaigbe opined that the squad would go a long way in reducing the criminal elements perpetrating evils in the state.
According to him, “Thanks to the state governor for the initiative in setting up the squad, because he is a man committed to peace and against conflicts.
“Following the recent killing in Edo State, the governor took it upon himself to announce to the state, nation, and the world that the killing in Edo State must stop, thereby constituting the special squad.
“The squad commenced operation on Tuesday and made several arrests, and you can see for yourself as we combed the length and breadth of the city of Benin to ensure it is safe for our people.
“We made several arrests. We found drugs, weapons, and other incriminating materials. This has come to stay, and we will ensure that Edo State is safe for our people and investors who have come to invest in the state.
“The raid was not only about cultism, as we are also looking for drug peddlers and kidnappers, as these crimes are interrelated. We are doing this to ensure that Benin City is safe for all of us. To achieve this, we have to clean the streets of all social vices,” he said.
He said the governor has given the marching order to ensure that armed robbery, kidnapping, cultism, and other social vices that are bringing disrepute to the state become a thing of the past.
Also speaking, Eribo Emwanta, a member of the committee, said the raid and sealing up of a hotel at Isiohor is not witch-hunting but a move to keep the state and its citizens safe.
“The hotel that was sealed at Isiohor was not to witch-hunt anybody but a move to invite the owner to explain his own part, as the hotel appears to be a place of hideout for suspected drug peddlers, cultists, and other criminals,” he added.
The Edo State Special Security Squad Against Cultism and Kidnapping is made up of the military, police, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and other sister security agencies.
Other members of the squad are hunters, vigilante groups, repentant cultists, and other critical stakeholders in Edo State.
Edo taskforce arrests 20 suspected kidnappers, cultists
