SPECIAL SECURITY SQUAD BURSTS CULTISTS’ HIDEOUTS IN BENIN CITY: Arrests Notorious Cult Leaders, Recovers Illegal Weapons
Benin City, July 19, 2025
In a major crackdown on criminal elements, the Special Security Squad set up by Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has arrested several suspected cult leaders and members in Benin City.
The latest operation, carried out on the evening of Friday, July 18, 2025, targeted hideouts in Evboutubu and Iguedaiyi village, where the squad apprehended a suspected cult leader. A search of his residence reportedly yielded illegal firearms and other dangerous weapons.
This raid followed crucial intelligence provided by two previously arrested suspects, who helped identify additional cultist hideouts across the Egor Local Government Area. The squad, which comprises personnel from the military, police, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), local vigilantes, hunters, and even reformed cultists, launched a coordinated assault on several criminal enclaves.
Speaking after the operation, a member of the security team, Mr. Ameloemen Idemudia Noah, said the crackdown was guided by credible intelligence and a strong commitment to professionalism.
“Our operations are intelligence-driven and rooted in community engagement. We are not politically motivated, as some may claim. The public can be assured that we are focused solely on securing lives and property in Edo State,” Noah stated.
He added that the public’s support has been critical to the squad’s success so far.
“We have received numerous complaints from residents about the violent activities of these cult groups. With their cooperation, we were able to recover weapons and apprehend suspects responsible for several crimes,” he said.
While the task force’s primary mandate is to rid the state of cultism and kidnapping, Noah hinted that other criminal activities uncovered during operations would be handled by the appropriate law enforcement agencies.
“We are committed to ending the spate of killings and restoring peace across Edo. Every criminal element will be tracked down and prosecuted in accordance with the law,” he added.
The Governor’s office, through his Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua, reaffirmed the administration’s determination to provide a secure and peaceful environment for all residents of Edo State.
