Relatives of suspected cultists arrested last week in Ekpoma, Edo State, have besieged the state police headquartres to seek the possible release of their loved ones.
At least 46 people were nabbed by police officers in the host town of the Ambrose Alli University for their alleged involvement in cultism, following growing concerns about cult-related violence around the institution located in Esan West Local Government Area.
Based on what was gathered, most of the suspects were arrested in the night at their residences on September 21 and 22, 2015, while some firearms were allegedly recovered by the police during the raid.
It was also learnt on Sunday that some of the concerned parents, who made frequent visits with food items to the State Criminal Investigation Department, since last Thursday, had pleaded with the Commissioner of Police (CP), Mr. Chris Ezike, to release their sons on bail.
But they were said to have been turned down by some security operatives of the command, who maintained that the suspects were still undergoing screening and profiling.
In his reaction, the CP said while some of the suspects may have no link with the suspected offence stated, it was necessary to have all of them cross-checked with the security agency's wanted list.
He, however, disclosed that six of the suspects had been released, after they were exonerated by an investigation.