August 18, (THEWILL) – Operatives of the Edo State Police Command have uncovered a suspected ritual den in Benin-city, the Edo state capital.
A graphic video of the shrine showed 20 mummified bodies stacked on an iron rack and others standing against the wall of the room.
The Command in a statement issued Wednesday night, by its deputy Spokesperson, ASP Jennifer Iwegbu, said the suspected ritualist den was uncovered along Asoro slope, off Ekenhuan road, in Uzebu quarters.
It noted that the discovery was in pursuance of its operational mandate of nipping crimes in the bud, following a credible intelligence received.
The statement said: “Following credible information at Command’s disposal that some corpse were discovered in a building along Asoro slope, off Ekenhua road, Uzebu quarters, Benin city, operatives of the command immediately swung into action and mobilised to the scene.
“At the scene, 3 suspects, Chimaobi Okoewu ‘M’ and Oko Samuel ‘M’ both of Afikpo in Ebonyi and Gideon Sunday ‘M’ of Akwa-Ibom State, were arrested, while others fled. An intensive effort is ongoing to arrest the other fleeing suspects.
“Fifteen (15) mummified male corpses, 3 mummified female corpses and 2 mummified children corpses, were discovered at the scene.”
The statement added that the State Commissioner of Police, CP Abutu Yaro, has directed the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of state CID to carry out a discreet investigation to unravel the circumstances surrounding the discovered corpses.
Yaro also enjoined the general public to be calm, as the Command will continue to ensure the safety of all law-abiding citizens and those residing in Edo state.
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