The Edo State Police Command has reported the arrest of seven suspected cultists following a violent clash between the ‘Black Axe,’ also known as ‘Aye,’ and ‘Eiye’ Confraternities.
The statement, released by the State Police Command via X handle, noted that the arrest was made following the incident on Thursday, April 18th, 2024, in South-Ibie, Edo North Area of Edo State, an individual named Umoru was attacked and shot dead by members of the Aye Cult group at the Campus gate in Auchi.
It also said on 22/04/2024, another attack was carried out where Emmanuel Odiase, a member of Black Axe, was killed in Auchi by members of the Eiye cult group.
The Command added in the statement that on 23/04/2024, Braimoh Fulani, a 43-year-old, was killed in his provision shop in the campus area of Auchi by members of the Aye cult group.
It explained that the assailants arrived at his shop in an unregistered Lexus 350 saloon car, golden in colour. Prompted by timely information from the public, police operatives, in collaboration with the vigilante group, pursued and arrested the suspects, recovering their weapons in the process.
According to the police, the suspects will soon be charged to court after thorough investigation is completed.
“Following the break out of violent attack between Aye and Eiye secret cult confraternities on Thursday 18th April, 2024 at south-Ibie in Edo North Area of Edo State where one Umoru was attacked and shot dead by some members of Aye Cult group at Campus gate Auchi. The operatives of South-Ibie Division and Anti-Kidnapping and Cyber Crime Unit of the Command stormed the scene and arrested seven cultist of black Axe group.
“In another development, on 22/04/2024 another attack was carried out where one Emmanuel Odiase, a members of Black Axe was killed in Auchi by members of Eiye cult group. Subsequently, on 23/04/2024 one Braimoh Fulani a 43 years old was killed in his provision shop at campus area in Auchi by members of Ayes cult group who came to his shop with unregistered Lexus 350 saloon car, golden colour. With the timely information from members of the public, Police operatives mobilized and give them hot chase in collaboration with the vigilante group where they were arrested and their weapons recovered.
“The young man on red shirt is an Aye secret cult member, he received a phone call from his cult member who want to carried out an attack on the late Umoru, that he should leave immediately.
“He left the place and Umoru was attacked and shot dead. He was later arrested through a diligent investigation and confessed to the crime. Suspects will soon be charged to court,” the statement read.
