Edo Taskforce Storms Hideouts, Arrests 20 Suspects

DDM News

Edo, Nigeria – Authorities in Edo State have confirmed the arrest of no fewer than 20 individuals suspected of involvement in cultism, kidnapping, and drug-related crimes during a coordinated security operation across multiple communities.

Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) gathered that the operation was carried out on Tuesday by the newly constituted Special Security Squad, codenamed “Operation Flush Out Kidnappers and Cultists,” an initiative of the state governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo.

The arrest follows a decisive move by the state government to clamp down on rising cases of violent crime, especially cult-related killings that have rocked parts of Benin City in recent months.

The security sweep, according to reports, focused on criminal hideouts in areas such as Isiohor, Iguosa, Oluku, and Ibiwe/Lagos Street, among others.

Eyewitness accounts and security briefings confirmed that the suspects were apprehended with items including hard drugs, dangerous weapons, and other incriminating materials.

Speaking after the raid, John Adewale Eseikhaigbe, a member of the Special Security Squad, lauded Governor Okpebholo for taking bold steps to restore public safety.

He said the operation marked the beginning of a determined statewide effort to rid Edo communities of criminal networks responsible for endangering lives and property.

“Thanks to the state governor for the initiative in setting up the squad,” Eseikhaigbe said. “He is a man committed to peace and security.

The recent killings prompted him to act swiftly, and we’re beginning to see results.”

He stressed that the scope of the raid went beyond cultism to include drug trafficking and kidnapping, which he described as interconnected criminal threats.

“We combed the length and breadth of Benin to ensure it’s safe for our people and for investors,” he added.

He further declared that the administration is determined to ensure that crimes such as armed robbery, cultism, and drug dealing are permanently eradicated in Edo State.

“We are cleaning up the streets. This is not a one-off. This taskforce has come to stay,” he assured.

Also speaking, another squad member, Eribo Emwanta, clarified the recent sealing of a hotel in Isiohor, suspected to be a haven for criminals.

He emphasized that the action was not a political witch-hunt but part of the wider mission to ensure public safety.

“The hotel was sealed because of credible intelligence suggesting it was being used as a hideout for drug peddlers and cultists. The owner has been invited to explain his side,” Emwanta stated.

The special squad, formed to combat escalating insecurity, is a multi-agency force comprising the Nigerian Army, Police, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and other sister agencies.

It also includes local hunters, vigilante groups, repentant cultists, and other community stakeholders working in synergy.

Governor Okpebholo, who assumed office in 2024 following the exit of former Governor Godwin Obaseki, has made security a top priority of his administration.

His recent public statements emphasized a zero-tolerance stance on crime and pledged a safer Edo for citizens and investors alike.

The clampdown comes at a time when residents of Benin City and other parts of the state have expressed growing concerns over the impact of cult clashes and abductions on daily life and business operations.

With the taskforce now operational, many residents hope for sustained pressure on criminal gangs and a return to peace in previously volatile neighborhoods.

Security experts have also commended the state’s inclusive approach to the crackdown, which incorporates both conventional forces and community actors in a bid to achieve long-term results.

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