Incessant Cult Killings: Police in Edo Lament Loss of Personnel, Others

Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City

The Edo State Police Command yesterday reacted to the loss of one of its officers  to the fight against cultism in the state.

In the last two weeks, there had been series of killings by suspected rival cult groups within the Benin metropolis.

Recall that some persons were killed on the Christmas Eve in  renewed cult crashes between suspected Eiye and Black axe confraternities.

Those killed include: Hilary Odia, a popular radio presenter; a vigilante commander and a police inspector said to have been killed by his colleague, a police sergeant.

A statement by the spokesperson of the Edo State Police Command, Chidi Nwabuzor, which was made available to journalists in Benin City, said the command was doing everything within its means to restore peace and order.

Nwabuzor also said the Police Commissioner, Edo State, Mohammed Dankwara was appealing to the people of Edo state to remain calm and go about  their Christmas celebration, assuring the safety of lives and property.

 “Edo state police command wishes to inform the general public, particularly the good people of Edo state that the command is aware of the secret cult fighting and the killings in the state mostly in the Benin metropolis in the recent times that took the lives of innocent citizens particularly that of Mr Hillary Nosa Odia, a staff of Independent Television and Radio, Benin City.

“The command is sincerely and vigorously fighting this crime and wishes to put it to an end for the state to be peaceful for all. Its efforts in fighting against secret cult members or to stop the killings are shown in the loss of one of its personnel during operation in the Ugbowo axis on the 24th of December, 2023.

“ Nevertheless, a sizeable number of arrests of the secret cult members of various cult groups have been made  in different locations in the state and will soon be charged to court for prosecution.

“In view of the above, CP Mohammed Adamu  Dankwara, the Commissioner of Police Edo State, appeals to the good people of Edo State remain calm and go about with their Christmas celebration.

“ He reiterates the command’s commitments and readiness of officers and men to ensure the safety of the lives and property of the citizenry and residents of Edo State during this yuletide period.

“He, however, solicits the citizens’ participation in giving out information to the police as modern and civilised policing entails citizenship and community policing,” the statement concluded.

Bago: Minna Airport Will Be Ready for Airlift of Pilgrims Next Year

Laleye Dipo in Minna

The Niger state Governor,  Mohammed Bago, yesterday said that the ongoing reconstruction of the Minna airport will be completed and ready for the airlift of pilgrims to Mecca for next year’s holy pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia.

Speaking during an inspection of the project, the governor expressed satisfaction with the job so far done, but asked the contractor to double the pace of work.

Bago urged the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to carry out the design and construction of an international terminal at the airport to enable it commence  international commercial and cargo transportation as well as facility for exporting agricultural produce.

The Niger state government in collaboration with FAAN had carried out the construction of the previously abandoned hajj terminal to facilitate effective and timely hajj operations.

The government and FAAN had also  carried out  major repairs on the airports runway for smooth take off  and landing of aircrafts.

A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Bologi Ibrahim, said when completed, the Minna international airport will serve as an alternative to the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, and also be “a feasible hangar for private jets”.