The Edo State Government has publicly declared eight individuals wanted in connection with recent deadly incidents across the state.
This declaration comes as part of a renewed and intensified security campaign spearheaded by the state.
Among those declared wanted are three influential community youth leaders, locally identified as “Okiagheles,” along with five suspected cult members.
The announcement was made in a statement issued on Monday, February 16, 2026, by Dr. Patrick Ebojele, the Chief Press Secretary to State Governor, Monday Okpebholo.
The three community youth leaders have been issued a stringent seven-day ultimatum, compelling them to report to the State Special Security Squad, a unit code-named “Operation Flush Out Cultist and Kidnappers.” Failure to comply within this period could lead to further escalation of law enforcement action.
The government emphasized that their appearance is crucial to “clear themselves of wrongdoing” concerning the recent cult killings that have gripped the state. The wanted Okiagheles are from Obagie, Ofumwengbe, and Ara communities.
Meanwhile, authorities also named five suspected cult members as wanted persons, providing their known nicknames: Enas, Koko, Amani Amani, Sparol, and Dada. While acknowledging these are aliases, the statement underscored that the individuals on the run are well aware of their identities and the gravity of the allegations.
The spokesperson for the State Special Security Squad, Eribo Enwanta, provided further details on the ongoing operations, confirming a significant arrest in the case. Innocent Okunozee, the Okiaghele of Obazagbon community and a suspected member of the notorious Black Axe confraternity, is currently in custody. Okunozee’s arrest followed the discovery of weapons and live ammunition in a Highlander jeep driven by his cousin, Mr. Godspower Obayuwana, who serves as the community’s Chief Security Officer (CSO).
Enwanta detailed that the Special Security Squad, under the direct leadership of the Principal Security Officer (PSO) to the Edo State Governor, launched a series of raids following a surge in killings across Benin. These operations led to several arrests in communities such as Amagba in Oredo Local Government Area and Obagie in Ikpoba-Okah Local Government Area.
During a raid in the Amagba community, two suspected Black Axe confraternity members, Osazee Omoruyi and Osahon Anito, were apprehended. Preliminary investigations linked several Okiagheles and five other individuals who managed to escape from the raided premises directly to the recent cult-related homicides.
Furthermore, intelligence reports stemming from the state’s cult disturbances led to another raid at Yuwa Kokoma Street in Amagba GRA, resulting in the arrest of two suspected members of the Aye cult. The squad hailed these arrests as significant successes in their mission to rid the state of crime, killings, and other societal ills.
The security spokesperson urged the public to assist law enforcement by providing any vital information that could lead to the arrest of the declared wanted individuals. He also directly appealed to the fleeing suspects to surrender themselves for investigation, assuring them that they would be apprehended regardless of where they seek refuge.
In a candid confession, one of the arrested suspects from the Amagba community, Osazee Omoruyi, who identified himself as an internet fraudster and also known as “Demond Tutu,” admitted to being a member of the Black Axe cult since 2012.
However, Omoruyi vehemently denied any involvement in the most recent killings. He claimed that a person named Doviani brought a Lexus jeep, suspected to be used in the killings, to his home on Sunday, February 15, 2026. This vehicle allegedly contained a pump-action gun, a Beretta pistol, other firearms, live ammunition, and various photographs, including one of a couple.