A suspected cultist identified as Emmanuel Keta, from Ogoja in Benue State, has been arrested by operatives of the Edo State Security Corps, ESSC, for attempted murder of a JSS 3 student.
DAILY POST reports that the student is identified as Naomi Monday, of the Agbado community, Iguobazuwa, in Ovia South-West Local Government of Edo State.
The suspect was alleged to have been initiated into a cult group in December 2025 with a mandate to kill at least 11 young persons to gain promotion in the group.
It was learnt that the suspect allegedly stormed the female student’s house with a cutlass when she returned from school, with the intention of killing her. He allegedly inflicted matchet cuts on the girl without provocation.
A source who spoke on condition of anonymity said the girl was rescued by neighbours who heard her screaming for help while the suspect fled the scene to an unknown destination.
“The victim was the first person he attacked in his mission to gain the promotion.
“He was later tracked and arrested by operatives of the Edo State Security Corps and handed over to police for further action,” the source disclosed.
Meanwhile, the student’s elder sister, Esther Monday, has demanded justice for her. Esther disclosed that the student is currently battling for her life at the hospital.
Spokesperson of the Edo State Police Command, ASP Eno Ikoedem who confirmed the incident, said the suspect was given an assignment to kill a certain number of persons to complete his initiation process.
Ikoedem, who spoke to newsmen, described the incident as an attempted murder. She said the suspect has confessed to the crime.
“The Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, has ordered that the suspect be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for further investigation,” she added.
