Two suspected cult members have been taken into custody by the Edo State Police Command in connection with the attempted murder of 29-year-old rival cult member Egiegbor Lucky in the Irrua community in the Esan Central Local Government Area of Edo State.
On January 14, the victim was allegedly pursued and fired at by the accused, Aigbomian Daniel, 20, and Innocent Okiomisi, 32, who are allegedly members of the Eiye Confraternity, with the intention of killing him.
The accused are presently being held by the police, according to CSP Moses Yamu, the spokesperson for the Edo State Police Command, who confirmed the event on Thursday. He went on to say that during questioning, the two admitted to belonging to a covert cult.
“I can confirm to you that the suspected cultists were arrested and are in police custody. During interrogation, they confessed to being members of cult groups. One locally made pistol and one live cartridge were recovered from the suspects, and they will be charged to court soon,” Yamu said.
A police source revealed that the suspects had trailed the victim, who is also allegedly a member of a rival cult group and shot him in the right arm.
The victim narrowly escaped death and reported the incident at the Irrua Police Station.
According to the source, the attack stemmed from an ongoing rivalry between cult groups in the area. The suspects reportedly fled the scene after the shooting, leaving the victim injured and assuming he was dead.
The police spokesperson assured efforts are ongoing to curtail cult-related violence in the state, reiterating the command’s commitment to ensuring justice for the victim.
