Edo State Security Squad codenamed “Operation flush out Kidnappers and Cultists” have arrested 14 Suspects in connection with the cult related killing in Auchi, Etsako West local Government Area of Edo State.
This was disclosed in a statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the state governor Dr. Patrick Akhere Ebojele .
According to the statement ,following the killing, the Chief Security Officer (CSO) and the Principal Security Officer (PSO) to governor Monday Okpebholo led other security agencies to raid criminal hideouts in Edo North Senatorial Districts.
At Jattu Junction, the team demolished Abiodun Motors Park and the Nigeria Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) park at Jattu Junction.
The squad also raided Tripple J &J Hotel, Aviele, where some suspects were arrested.
The presence of the team was felt at Igbira Camp, Warrake road, Akpekpe and other areas raiding the hideout of criminal elements disturbing the peace of Edo North Senatorial Districts.
14 Suspects were the arrested at the said hotel in Aviele following intelligence reports that the killing of the young man was planned at the hotel and the suspects moved from the hotel to carry out the dastardly act at the Jattu motor park.
After the arrest, the hotel was sealed and the squad, acting on intelligence report, moved to Igbira Camp where the prime suspects
Anefi Kassim left to arrest him but did not meet him.
According to investigation, the said Anefi Kassim is a member of Juris Confraternity, ESSC, while Idris Mustapha who is also at large is a member of ESSC as they are both given 24 hours to report at the Area Command Auchi.
The squad has ordered the Auchi Sector commander of ESSC under whose command they work to produce both suspects to face justice.
Speaking on the arrest, the spokesperson for the squad member of the squad Eribo Ewanta said following the Monday killing, governor Okpebholo gave the team a matching under to restore peace and arrest those behind the act.
”We are here today and have arrested some suspects connected to the killing and they are helping security agencies with useful information that will help in further arrest of all others at large including the masterminder of the killing.
”Governor Monday Okpebholo’s administration will not allow any form of criminality in Edo State as criminals will no longer be safe operating in the State.
”The parks at Jettu Junction where the young man was killed have been demolished because they are operating and collecting revenue which has been banned by the Okpebholo led administration.
”The Governor has banned unauthorized revenue collection across the State but in this park in Jattu they are still engaged in illegal revenue collection. The property will be utilized for the benefits of Edo people as the governor will bring development here”.
At the residence of the prime suspect, one Anefi Kassim, Ewanta said the suspect is a member of Juris Confraternity.
He noted that investigation revealed that the whole problem of the killing started from him. “We are giving the sector commander of ESSC Auchi 24 hours to produce Anefi Kassim and Idris Mustapha who are key suspects in the Auchi killing. Failure to do that, they will be declared wanted.
