56 'vicious cultists' arrested for killings in Edo

Fifty-six suspected cultists have been arrested by the police in Edo state for cult-related killings and violence.

The arrests were made by a special squad of officers recently put together on the orders of the Inspector-General of Police, Solomon Arase.

In a statement issued in Abuja on Thursday, the Force Public Relations Officer, Emmanuel Ojukwu, said the suspects, among who are 11 highly placed persons, were arrested from different locations in the state.

“The intervention of the Inspector-General of Police, Solomon Arase, in the troublesome cultism-related violent crimes in Edo State has started yielding positive results," he said

“The Special Crack Squad designated for the assignment, had on May 12, 2015 through vigorous intelligence, arrested highly placed persons from different locations in the state who are ring leaders of cult groups linked to recent cult-related killings in the state."

“At the moment, a total of 56 suspected vicious cultists linked to the recent violence in the state have been rounded up by the Squad and are undergoing interrogation.”

He said measures are being put in place to ensure safety of lives and property in the state.