Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
Edo State Police have arrested 27 suspected members of the NBM (Aye) confraternity during an initiation ceremony in Urohi Village, Esan West Local Government Area, late on Saturday, December 13, 2025, in a development that highlights ongoing efforts to curb cult-related activities in the state. The operation, conducted at around 10 p.m., reportedly turned violent when one of the cultists fired at the police, prompting officers to return fire and neutralise the suspect on the spot.
Security sources confirmed that during the raid, authorities recovered an array of items including weapons, three vehicles, 51 mobile phones, Timberland boots, sling bags, and substances suspected to be Indian hemp. The arrests, described by police as a major breakthrough, target members of a notorious cult operating within both campus and community spaces.
Independent verification by local news outlets revealed that one of the arrestees is MK, a notorious Aye cultist who holds the position of number three (Chairman) within the Aye confraternity at Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma, despite not being a student. Observers noted the irony in the leader of a campus-based cult not actually being enrolled, highlighting the infiltration of cult activities beyond student populations into local communities.
Following the raid, all suspects were transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for interrogation and further investigation. Community reactions have been mixed, with some residents lauding the police for disrupting what could have escalated into a larger violent incident, while others expressed concern about the repeated release of cult suspects in previous operations, including a similar incident in Auchi where cultists allegedly returned to the bush shortly after apprehension.
Authorities have called on NBM leadership to take responsibility and help curb illegal activities by ensuring members desist from violence and criminal acts. Analysts say that cult-related violence in Edo State remains a persistent security challenge, particularly in areas where fraternities maintain deep networks and influence, extending even to non-student actors like MK.
Police have urged the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious gatherings, stressing that the force will continue to crack down on cult activities to ensure safety and maintain law and order across Edo State. The recent arrests, though significant, underscore the continuing struggle to dismantle entrenched criminal networks associated with confraternities.
Residents hope that the current batch of arrestees will face full legal accountability, unlike past operations where suspects were reportedly released prematurely. Security observers stress that sustained policing, coupled with community engagement and cult leadership cooperation, is key to curbing the cycle of violence associated with campus and community cults in Edo State.
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