Police bust ritualists’ shrine, arrested 3 with 20 mummified bodies

The Edo Police Command has busted a suspected ritual shrine in Benin and arrested three suspects with 20 mummified bodies.

Specifically, Deputy Public Relations Officer, ASP Jennifer Iwegbu, made this announcement on Thursday in Benin.

Also, a police official said the bodies were found in a building on Asoro hill, off Ekenhua road, Uzebu quarters, Benin.

“In pursuance of its operational mandate of nipping crimes in the bud; Operatives of the Edo State Police Command unravelled a suspected ritual shrine.

“Following credible information at the Command’s disposal that some corpses were discovered in a building along Asoro slope off Ekenhua road, Uzebu quarters, Benin city, operatives of the command immediately swung into action and mobilised to the scene.

“At the scene, three suspects were arrested while others fled.

“An intensive effort is ongoing to arrest the other suspects who were at large,” she said.

Meanwhile, she said items found at the location include 15 mummified male corpses; 3 mummified female corpses, and 2 mummified children bodies.

“To this end, the state Commissioner of Police, Abutu Yaro, has directed the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of state CID to carry out a discreet investigation to unravel the circumstances surrounding the discovered corpses.”

She urged the populace to be calm, saying that the command would continue to protect all law-abiding residents of Edo.