The Abia State Police Command has commenced an investigation into the killing of a youth in Aba, adding that the corpse of the victim has been recovered and deposited in a morgue for autopsy.

The spokesperson of the Abia State Police Command, DSP Maureen Chinaka, who stated this while responding to inquiries about the incident, said it happened on May 24, 2026, at about 12:35 p.m.

She said preliminary investigation showed that unidentified assailants pursued the victim and shot him dead in front of a church at Ehere, near Opobo Junction in Aba.

The DSP noted that officers from the Eastern Ngwa Police Division, who were on patrol at Obikabia Junction, acted on intelligence that an unidentified person had been shot dead by unknown assailants.

She said the officers led a patrol team from Ohuru Division to the scene, where the deceased was found lifeless in a pool of his own blood.

“It was the DPO at Obikabia Junction that received the distress call, and his team went there.

“Preliminary investigation revealed that he was pursued. The assailants who killed him pursued him as he was running towards the church, and they shot him in front of the church,” she said.

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.