The Edo State Police Command has apprehended three suspected cultists, identified as Eyefia Godbless, Imuetiyan Ewemade, and Emeka Okpaja, allegedly members of the Maphite confraternity.

The arrests were made at Ubiaza Community, Off Sapele Road in Benin City, where the suspects planned to avenge the killing of their fellow member, Kokori, by rival cult group Aye confraternity in June 2024. The police recovered a deadly automatic pump action gun worth N700,000, 11 live cartridges, three green berets, and the Maphite constitution.

The State Commissioner of Police, Funsho Adegboye, warned that the police will not tolerate illegal activities and vowed to arrest more suspects in the ongoing fight against cultism.