Operatives of the Ugbowo Division of the Edo State Police Command have apprehended two suspected cultists allegedly gathering for unlawful activities in the state.

ASP Eno Ikoedem, the Public Relations Officer of the command, disclosed this in a statement made available to newsmen on Wednesday, May 27, 2026, in Benin City.

Ikoedem alleged that the suspects, Victor Peter, 21, and Iyemoma Ogbewe, 35, were arrested in Ohonre Community, off Adolor College Road, Benin City, on May 21, 2026, at about 7 p.m.

She said that on the fateful day, operatives attached to the Ugbowo Division, who were on surveillance patrol, responded to a distress report concerning the movement and gathering of some suspected cult members within the community.

She added that, acting promptly on the information, the police team mobilised to the location, and on sighting the operatives, the suspects fled in an attempt to evade arrest.

The command’s spokesperson explained that after a hot chase, the operatives arrested the two suspects, who later confessed to being members of the notorious Maphite cult group.

She also stated that during a search conducted on the suspects, one cut-to-size gun allegedly in their possession for unlawful purposes was recovered.

She added that efforts were ongoing to identify and apprehend other fleeing gang members.

Three siblings have been arraigned before an Edo State High Court, Benin City, over alleged conspiracy, perjury and giving false information under oath.

The siblings, two of who are lawyers, were arraigned before the court by the police on a four-count charge bordering on conspiracy, perjury, defamation and making false information.

In the charge sheet with Suit No. B/CD/210C/2025, the defendants were accused of allegedly conspiring among themselves between August 2015 and 2018 to commit acts of defamation and making false accusations.

The defendants are Samuel Obasuyi, Godwin Obasuyi, A.O. Obasuyi and Sons Sawmill Limited.

The prosecuting counsel, R.F. Dimka told the court that the accused persons conspired to have Barrister Dele Edokpayi, a senior lawyer, charged with offences relating to conspiracy and forgery of documents.

Dimka said the accused committed the offences despite allegedly knowing that the said Dele Edopkayi was innocent of the claims.

The counsel added that the alleged false information led to the arrest of Dele Edokpayi by the police and the subsequent investigation.

The charge also stated that the defendants allegedly conspired to forge title documents linked to the matter.

According to the prosecution, the offences are punishable under sections 412, 375, 101, 102(B), and 93 of the Criminal Code of Edo State.

When the charges were read, the defendants pleaded not guilty.

Counsel to the defendants, G.E. Oaikhena, alongside three other lawyers, urged the court to grant the accused persons bail. 

Oaikhena told the court that two of the defendants are legal practitioners and had previously been granted police bail, assuring the court that they would be available for trial.

The prosecuting counsel who did not oppose the bail application and asked the court to exercise its discretion.

Ruling on the bail application, the presiding Judge, Justice R. Irele-Ifijeh, granted the defendants bail in the sum of N1 million each with one surety in like sum.

Justice Irere-Ifijeh ruled that each surety must be gainfully employed, provide an affidavit of means, and submit two recent passport photographs to the court.

She adjourned the case to July 1, 2026, for hearing.

The Zone 2 Police Command, Onikan, Lagos, has dismantled a criminal syndicate allegedly involved in motorcycle theft operations across Lagos and Ogun states, leading to the arrest of three suspected members during a coordinated raid.

The development was disclosed in a statement issued on Wednesday in Lagos by the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone 2, Mr Olohundare Jimoh, and signed by the command’s spokesperson, DSP Gbenga Afolayan.

According to Jimoh, operatives also recovered five suspected stolen motorcycles during the operation.

The AIG explained that the breakthrough followed an extensive investigation into the activities of a notorious gang known for stealing motorcycles within the Sagamu and Ijebu Ode areas of Ogun State.

“The operation was launched after a formal petition dated April 12, was submitted to the zone headquarters concerning the activities of the syndicate.

“Investigations revealed that the gang steals motorcycles in Sagamu and Ijebu Ode, before selling them to buyers in Ogere, Ojodu Berger, Mushin and some other parts of the country.

“Operatives of the Zone 2 ‘Dragon Team’ thereafter commenced surveillance and intelligence gathering to track members of the syndicate and uncover their operational network.

“The operatives laid an ambush around the Sagamu Interchange area on May 19, leading to the arrest of three suspects whose ages are, 26, 29 and 48,” Jimoh said.

He further disclosed that preliminary findings showed that the syndicate, alongside two other suspects currently at large, specialised in stealing motorcycles during the early hours of the day, usually between 1:00 a.m. and 4:00 a.m.

“The gang also tow motorcycles from where they are parked, before they forcefully unlock the steering systems and manipulate electrical wires to start the engines,” the AIG stated.

Jimoh added that the stolen motorcycles were usually handed over to receivers operating around the Sagamu Interchange area for onward sale.

Items recovered during the operation included three unregistered Bajaj Boxer motorcycles, one unregistered Daylong motorcycle, and one unregistered Lifan motorcycle.

The police boss further revealed that investigations indicated that the syndicate had allegedly stolen and sold about 50 motorcycles across the Sagamu and Ijebu Ode axis.

According to him, efforts were ongoing to apprehend other fleeing members of the gang based on information supplied by the arrested suspects.

Jimoh also directed operatives of the command to intensify efforts toward arresting the remaining suspects and ensuring diligent prosecution after investigations are concluded.