The police in Edo State have uncovered a shrine with 20 corpses at Asoro Slope, off Ekenhua Road, Uzebu Quarters of Benin City.
In a statement made available to newsmen late Wednesday, Deputy Police Public Relations Officer in the command, ASP Jennifer Iwegbu, said; “15 mummified male corpses, 3 mummified female corpses and 2 mummified children corpses were discovered at the scene” by men of the command who invaded the area after credible information.
Iwegbu, in the statement named suspects arrested at the shrine as: Chimaobi Okoewu and Oko Samuel ‘M’ both of Afikpo in Ebonyi and Gideon Sunday ‘M’ of Akwa-Ibom State, adding that others, while sighting the police escaped.
The statement reads in part: “Following credible information at the Command’s disposal that some corpse were discovered in a building along Asoro slope off Ekenhua road, Uzebu quarters,Benin city. Operatives of the command immediately swung into action and mobilized to the scene.
“At the scene, 3 suspects, Chimaobi Okoewu ‘M’ and Oko Samuel ‘M’ both of Afikpo in Ebonyi and Gideon Sunday ‘M’ of Akwa-Ibom State were arrested while others fled. An intensive effort is ongoing to arrest the other fleeing suspects.
“15 mummified male corpses, 3 mummified female corpses and 2 mummified children corpses were discovered at the scene.”
According to the statement, to unravel the circumstances surrounding the corpses, the Commissioner of Police, CP Abutu Yaro, directed the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of state CID to carry out discreet investigation into the incident.
The statement also enjoined “the general public to be calm as the command will continue to ensure the safety of all law-abiding citizens and those residing in Edo state.”