Three suspected members of the Black AXE confraternity, Nnamdi Mbanusi 43yrs, Ehis Albert 38yrs and Obazee Ogbe 39yrs, have been arrested by the Edo State Police Command during a cult-related meeting at an uncompleted building in Benin City.

The State Commissioner of Police, CP Umoru Ozigi, disclosed this while parading 23 suspects arrested for kidnapping and cultism across the state.

According to the CP, other members of the cult group escaped while six live cartridges were recovered from the arrested suspects.

“On 10/11/2024 at about 1120hrs, based on credible intelligence, Operatives of Anti-Cultism Unit arrested the trio of Nnamdi Mbanusi 43yrs, Ehis Albert 38yrs and Obazee Ogbe 39yrs, who were holding cult related meeting at an uncompleted building in Ogbe quarters, Benin City,” the CP stated.

“On the spot search conducted on the suspects led to the recovery of six (6) live cartridges while other members of the deadly cult group escaped. The suspects confessed to be members of the proscribed Aye confraternity, also known as BLACK AXE. Investigation is ongoing.”

Similarly, on Friday, November 15, 2024, about 0100hrs, based on information reaching the command that a group of cultists were holding meeting along Upper Sakponba Area in Benin-City, operatives of the Command Intelligence and Rapid Response Squad swiftly moved to the area, barricaded the road and began intensive stop and search where an unregistered blue colour Toyota Sienna Space Bus driven by one Dauda Asia was intercepted.

“Upon intensive search, two (2) Pump Action Guns, forty-three (43) Live Cartridges, two (2) expended cartridges, three (3) wraps of substance suspected to be Indian Hemp and some alcoholic drinks were recovered. Investigation is ongoing.”