Operatives of the Edo State Police Command have arrested 18 suspects for alleged involvement in various crimes in the state.
Parading the suspects on Saturday, the state Commissioner of Police, Funsho Adeboye, said the suspects were arrested over alleged kidnapping, cultism, armed robbery, and Illegal possession of firearms among others.
The CP described the rate of cult-related killings in the state as worrisome.
He said whoever is found to be involved in cultism would be prosecuted, no matter how highly placed the person is in society.
He stated that the police would not fold its hand and allow criminals to hold the state to ransom, adding that the police has the backing of the state government in its drive to rid the state of criminals
He listed the items recovered from the suspects to include one locally made single barrel, pump-action gun, two locally made cut-to-size pistols, one AK 47 rifle, six cartridges, one vehicle, a police walkie-talkie, an axe, a face mask, a packet of cigarette and Indian hemp.
He said, “The Edo State Police Command has arrested 18 suspects for crimes ranging from cultism, kidnapping and others. We are ready to check the activities of criminals in the state.
“The state is now a no-go area for cultists. The police will ensure that they are not able to operate and we urge parents to warn their children to desist from cultism, as anyone caught will be arrested and be made to face the law.”
Adegboye also admonished officers and men to imbibe the philosophy of democratic policing with the fear of God and love for the citizens when performing their duties.