Adekunle Peter, Benin
The police in Edo state on Thursday announced that four officials of Edo State Government and others arrested in connection with alleged cult activities may be charged for terrorism.
A source from the Police Command headquarters in Benin, confided that “arrangements are ongoing to charge those arrested for terrorism.”
However, the state police spokesperson, Stephen Onwochie, said investigations were ongoing and that the suspects would be charged based on the outcome of investigation.
Chairman of Edo State Committee on War Against Indiscipline, Mr. David Olukoga, and three others were said to be among those arrested by a special squad of the Nigeria Police Force dispatched from Abuja by the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Solomon Arase.
The suspects were arrested on alleged complicity and murder of 10 Nigerians in the last one month in Edo State.
The Edo State Government washed its hands off the alleged involvement of its officials in the cultism saga.
The State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mr. Louis Odion, said government received the news of arrest of its officials over cult related issues with a big shock.
“The reports came as a big shock to us. While it is inappropriate to jump to conclusion until police investigations were concluded, let me put it on record that cultism in whatever form negates the values Comrade Adams Oshiomhole holds dear. This is easily verifiable from his zero tolerance of thuggrey and any form of political violence over the years.
“If found guilty, be rest assured that the Comrade Governor will ensure the rule of law prevails against officials involved. We encourage members of the public to cooperate with the police to root out cultism from our neighbourhood and communities,” Odion said.