Troops Uncover Cybercrime and Ritual Syndicate in Edo, Arrest 31
From Our Source.
Troops from the 4 Brigade in Benin City have arrested 31 individuals linked to a bizarre cybercrime and ritual-related criminal enterprise.
Acting on a tip-off, the troops, led by Brigade Commander Brigadier General Ebenezer Oduyebo, raided a building in First Bank Estate, called Awesome Garden, located along the Benin-Sapele By-Pass in the Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area. There, they uncovered a significant hideout for the crime and ritual syndicate.
Reports indicate that those arrested are now in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Edo State Zonal Command, where they will undergo further interrogation and prosecution.
Items seized at the scene included a Toyota vehicle, multiple smartphones, laptops, cash, a pot used in rituals, fetish materials, and other incriminating items connected to ritual and cybercrime activities.
Preliminary investigations reveal that many of the suspects were lured to the location by the syndicate’s leader, identified as Mr. Marvin Osabhuoyen, who is currently on the run. He had promised his victims lucrative job opportunities abroad, only to coerce them into a web of criminal operations that included kidnapping, armed robbery, and cyber fraud.
Many of the victims, hailing from various parts of the country, had been detained in the building for periods ranging from one to two years, living in fear and under constant manipulation.
In the meantime, Brigadier General Oduyebo praised the troops and collaborating security agencies for their bravery, vigilance, and dedication to keeping Edo State free from criminal elements.
“The Brigade remains fully committed to its mission of ensuring safety and security for all residents of Edo State. This operation serves as a clear warning to criminal syndicates that their days are numbered,” he declared.
