Edo State Police arrest 14 suspected cultists after hijacking a corpse and attacking motorcyclists during a burial ceremony in Uromi

The Edo State Police Command has arrested at least 14 persons suspected to be involved in cult-related activities following a violent incident in Uromi, Esan North-East Local Government Area of the state.

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According to the command’s spokesperson, Eno Ikoedem, the suspects were arrested after allegedly hijacking a corpse during a burial ceremony and attempting to prevent the deceased from being buried.

Ikoedem said the suspects also attacked two commercial motorcyclists, inflicting grievous injuries with dangerous weapons before police operatives swiftly intervened to restore order.

She disclosed that officers recovered eleven cutlasses, one dagger knife, and one shovel from the suspects, while the injured victims were rushed to the Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital for medical treatment.

“The Command has recorded a breakthrough in Uromi, where 14 male suspects were arrested following a violent disturbance suspected to be cult-related,” the statement said.

It added that investigations are ongoing to determine the full circumstances surrounding the incident and the roles played by each suspect.

Commending the operation, the Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, praised the professionalism and synergy between police operatives and community security partners.

He noted that the strategic deployment of modern technology, including drones, has further enhanced the command’s operational effectiveness.

Agbonika reassured residents of the police command’s commitment to sustained aggressive patrols, intelligence-led policing, bush-clearance operations, and prompt responses to security threats across the state.

The command also urged members of the public to remain vigilant and continue to provide timely and credible information to security agencies to strengthen public safety.

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Recall that the Edo State Police Command had, in June last year, arrested 28 suspects in separate cult-related operations across the state, with several of them subsequently charged to court.