The Edo State Government, EDSG, has issued a 7-day ultimatum to three Community Youth Leaders, known as Okiagheles, to make appearance before the Special Security Squad Code-named "Operation Flush Out Cultist and Kidnappers" over resurgence of Cultism in Benin City.

The Chief Press Secretary, CPS, to Governor Monday Okpebholo, Patrick Akhere Ebojele, in a statement on Tuesday, indicated that the Okiaghele of Obazagbon Community, Innocent Okunozee, a member of Black Axe Confraternity, is currently in custody, noting that those expected to report to security squad include the Okiaghele of Obagie, Ofumwengbe, and Ara Communities, respectively.

The CPS said that recent killings in some parts of Benin City, compelled the Special Security Squad, led by the Principal Security Officer, PSO, to Edo State Governor, carry out a series of raids, leading to arrest of some suspected cultists at Amagba Community in Oredo and Obagie Community in Ikpoba-Okah local government areas. He said other cult members have been declared wanted .

 Akhere Ebojele narrated that after a raid at Amagba Community, two suspected Black Axe Confraternity members, identified as Osazee Omoruyi and Osahon Anito, were arrested.

The Spokesperson of the Squad, Eribo Enwanta, explained that preliminary investigations linked the Okiagheles and five others who escaped from the raided compound to the recent cult killings.

Enwanta said that the Okiaghele of Obazagbon Community, suspected to be a Black Axe confraternity member, Innocent Okunozee, was arrested after weapons and live ammunition were found in a highlander jeep driven by the community CSO, Godspower Obayuwana, his cousin.

According to him, "Following the recent cult disturbance in the State, an intelligent report led to the raiding and arrest of two Aye cult members at Yuwa Kokoma Street in Amagba GRA.

"The squad has made huge success with this arrest in pursuant of its responsibilities and duties in making the State crime free, free from killing and all other social vices.

"We are here, in Amagba, in the residence of a suspected cult member to carry out further search to see if more Incriminating evidence can be found that will help security agencies in their investigation.

"EDSG is giving the following people seven days ultimatum to report themselves in Government House to clear themselves of wrong doing or connected to the recent cult killing in Edo State.

"Those expected to report themselves include the Okiaghele of Obagie, the Okiaghele of Ofumwengbe and the Okiaghele of Ara Communities.

"These people are to report themselves to the office of the Special Security Squad to clear themselves."

"While the following people have been declared wanted by the State government in connection with cult activities and cult related crime. Those in the list include Enas, Koko, Amani Amani, Sparol and Dada. These are their nicknames but these suspects who are on the run know themselves".