The Edo State Police Command has struck another blow against cult violence in Benin City, arresting two suspected members of the notorious Maphite confraternity in Ohonre community and recovering a cut to size gun in what officers described as a swift and intelligence driven operation.
Police pounce after distress call
The arrest took place on 21 May 2026 at about 7pm after operatives attached to the Ugbowo Division responded to a distress report about suspicious movement and gathering in the area. According to the Command, the police team was on surveillance patrol when the alert came in, prompting an immediate mobilisation to the scene.
By the time officers arrived, the suspects were said to have taken to their heels in a bid to escape arrest. But the chase was brief. The policemen pursued the fleeing men and eventually apprehended two of them.
Those arrested were identified as Victor Peter, 21, and Iyemoma Ogbewe, 35.
Gun recovered in the operation
A search conducted on the suspects led to the recovery of one cut to size gun, which police believe had been in their possession for unlawful purposes.
The Command said the weapon formed part of the evidence linking the suspects to cult related criminal activity, a development that has once again raised alarm over the persistence of violent groups operating within Benin and its environs.
Suspects allegedly confess to cult membership
In a further twist, the police said the two men later confessed to being members of the Maphite cult group during investigation.
That alleged confession is expected to strengthen the case against them as investigators continue efforts to identify other gang members who reportedly fled during the raid.
The police said those at large are still being tracked, suggesting that the arrest may only be the first stage of a wider crackdown on the network behind the gathering.
Edo police intensify anti cult campaign
The latest arrest comes against the backdrop of rising concern over cult related crime in Edo State, especially in Benin City, where police have in recent months stepped up surveillance, patrols and intelligence led operations.
The Command has repeatedly said it is determined to deny criminal groups any breathing space in the state. The new arrest appears to fit into that strategy, with officers acting on a distress report before the suspected gathering could develop into something more dangerous.
For residents, the incident is another reminder of how quickly cult activity can move from covert assembly to armed confrontation. For the police, it is being presented as proof that rapid response and community intelligence remain critical tools in the fight against organised street violence.
Police praise quick response
Commissioner of Police Monday Agbonika commended the operatives for their swift intervention and described the arrest as another operational success for the Command.
He reiterated the police resolve to deny criminal elements any opportunity to operate freely in Edo State and urged residents to keep providing timely and credible information to security agencies.
According to the Command, every report from the public will receive prompt attention, a message clearly aimed at encouraging greater community cooperation in the battle against cultism, kidnapping and armed crime.
Bigger question for Benin and Edo
While the arrest may appear routine on the surface, it speaks to a deeper and more troubling reality. Cult groups remain deeply embedded in some parts of Edo State and continue to pose a threat to public safety, especially in densely populated communities where rapid mobilisation and local intelligence can make the difference between disruption and disaster.
The recovery of a firearm, the alleged confession of the suspects and the ongoing hunt for other fleeing members all point to a case that may still widen.
For now, the Edo State Police Command is claiming a major operational gain. But the broader test will be whether this arrest leads to more names, more weapons, more prosecutions and, ultimately, a measurable reduction in cult violence across Benin City.
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