98 suspected cultists arraigned by Edo police...

Ninety-eight persons arrested by the Special Squad deployed to Edo State by Inspector General of Police, Mr. Solomon Arase, for alleged cultism, were, yesterday, arraigned before a Special Magistrate’s Court in Benin.  The court, it was learned, was set up by the Chief Judge of the state, Justice Cromwell Idahosa, due to the ongoing strike by judicial workers in the state.  Besides, 129 of the suspects were earlier arraigned last week, bringing to 227 the number of suspects standing trial over cult-related offences.  State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Samuel Adegbuyi,said cult-related activities in the state became worrisome so he sought the assistance of the IG.  He said on completion of investigations, 129 were arraigned on June 2 and 3, while today (yesterday) “98 suspects were equally arraigned in connection with the offences mentioned.”  Recovered IGP-Solomon-Arase  IGP-Solomon-Arase  He added that the command recovered several dangerous weapons and other items bearing the marks of some of the cult members.  Two locally-made pistols, four cut-to-size guns, four double-barrelled guns, eight single-barrelled guns, four AK-47 rifles, three pump action guns, 146 live cartridges, eight cutlasses, two battle axes, one tear gas canister, one short sword with cult symbol, plague, two neo-black movement regalia and one baton were recovered from the suspects.  - See more at vanguard news.