The Edo Police Command on Thursday in Benin said it had arrested 36 suspects for alleged various offences.
The Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Foluso Adebanjo, told newsmen that the suspects were arrested for alleged murder, kidnapping, rape, stealing, armed robbery and cult-related activities.
He alleged that 10 of the suspects were cult members being held in connection with the recent killings in Edo.
He said four of the suspected cultists were arrested based on information while the remaining six were nabbed at their meeting point in one of the schools at Aduwawa.
He said the suspects were arrested with cache of arms, including AK47 riffles, two AK 47 rifle magazines and 23 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunitions.
He said other weapons recovered from them were two horse magnum pump action guns, one English-made cut-to-size double barrel gun and 107 live cartridges.
Adebanjo noted that 10 alleged kidnap suspects in the group were involved in the kidnap of some white men and members of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) a few weeks ago.
The CP said they were arrested in their hideout.
Adebanjo, however, said that “the ban on Okada is a very good thing for security purpose because a lot of crimes being committed in Benin are bike-related crimes.’’
“About 90 per cent of crimes being committed in the state are carried out with motorcycles.
“They use bike to rob people, kill people and even cultists use bike to operate.
“We have no doubt that the ban on Okada will increase crime but we are fully prepared to take care of that,” he added.
He said that the ban on commercial motorcycles will help check the excesses of criminals in the state.
Adebanjo restated his call to criminals and cultists to leave the state or be “crushed”.
He also solicited for the support of members of the public by urging them to give useful information to the police.
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