POLICE BUST BLACK AXE INITIATION, SEIZE FIREARMS, CARS IN EDO

The Edo State Police Command has recorded a major security breakthrough with the arrest of 27 suspected members of the Neo Black Axe Movement of Nigeria, popularly known as Black Axe, during a late night operation in Esan West Local Government Area.

The coordinated raid was carried out on Saturday night, December 13th, 2025, at Urohi Village, a rural community located approximately 18 kilometres from Ekpoma. Acting on credible intelligence, police operatives moved swiftly to the location where the group was believed to be holding an initiation ceremony.

The operation was led by the Divisional Police Officer of Ekpoma Division, SP Nelson Igbinoba, who coordinated a joint task force comprising police tactical units, local vigilantes and hunters. As operatives closed in on the suspects, one of the cult members reportedly opened fire, leading to a brief but intense gun exchange. The suspect was neutralized during the confrontation.

At the end of the operation, 27 suspects were taken into custody, while several incriminating items were recovered. These include a locally fabricated shotgun, a live cartridge, a battle axe, a knife, three vehicles of two Toyota Camry cars and a Lexus RX SUV, 51 mobile phones of various brands, 15 pairs of Timberland boots in different colours and multiple sling bags containing substances suspected to be Indian hemp.

Following the arrests, the Commissioner of Police, CP Monday Agbonika, ordered the immediate transfer of the suspects to the State Criminal Investigation Department for comprehensive investigation and prosecution. He praised the operatives for their swift response and professionalism, reaffirming the Command’s resolve to clamp down on cultism and other forms of violent crime across Edo State.

The Police Command also reiterated its call for public cooperation, encouraging residents to report suspicious activities through its emergency and complaint response lines, as part of a broader strategy to maintain peace and public safety across the state.