The Edo State Police Command announced the arrest of 35 suspected cultists in Ekpoma, Esan West Local Government Area.

According to the command’s spokesperson, Chidi Nwabuzor, who shared the news on the command’s X.com handle on Tuesday, the arrests followed an intelligence tip-off that suggested a group of students, believed to be members of the Vikings cult, had gathered at an undisclosed location for an initiation ceremony.

The Anti-Cultism Unit of the command executed the operation on Saturday, April 27.

The statement reads, “Continuing its crackdown on cult-related activities in Edo State, the Anti-Cultism Unit of the command carried out an operation in Ekpoma on Saturday, April 27, 2024, after receiving intelligence that students suspected to be part of the Vikings secret cult had assembled in an undisclosed location for an initiation ceremony. As a result, 35 suspected cultists were apprehended.

“The Commissioner of Police in Edo State, CP Funsho Adegboye, reaffirmed the command’s dedication to ensuring the safety of citizens and their property.

“He urged the residents of Edo State to continue providing the police with useful information that aids in the fight against crime.”