Police in Edo State, South- South Nigeria, have announced the arrest of Kelvin Igbinovia, the recently deposed 45-year-old chief priest of Okhorimi, along with four other individuals. Authorities say the men were found in possession of prohibited weapons and a suspected human skull.
The state police command’s spokesperson, Moses Yamu, confirmed the arrests in a statement released on Saturday. He detailed that a joint operation by the Intelligence Unit, Rapid Response Squad, and the Anti-Kidnapping Squad led to the apprehension of Igbinovia, along with Osarodion Omoregie (41), Charles Otasowei (55), Edwin Igbinovia (45), and Osagie Igbinovia (44).
Police recovered a significant cache of items from the premises of the deposed chief priest, including two AK 47 rifles, two single-barrelled locally made shotguns, three empty AK47 magazines, one OFM magazine, eleven 7.62mm rounds of ammunition, and a suspected human skull.
The police statement read, “The Edo State Command in a sting operation carried out by operatives of the Command Intelligence and Rapid Response Squad alongside the Anti-Kidnapping Squad today 17/05/2025 arrested the recently dethroned Ohen of Okhoromi one Ovbokhan Igbinovia Kelvin 43yrs, Osarodion Omoregie 41yrs, Charles Otasowei 55yrs, Edwin Igbinovia 45 years and Osagie Igbinovia 44yrs.” [Note: There appears to be a discrepancy in the reported age of Kelvin Igbinovia between the initial sentence and this section of the provided text.]
It continued, “The following exhibits: two AK 47 rifles with breach numbers TH4782 and 6683 respectively, two single barrels locally made shotguns, three empty AK47 magazines, one OFM magazine, 11 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition and a suspected human skull were recovered from the premises of Ovbokhan Igbinovia Kelvin the dethroned Ohen of Okhoromi when the search was conducted.”
Police added that investigations are ongoing to locate further arms and ammunition and to apprehend any other members of the group who may have fled.
The Commissioner of Police for Edo State, Monday Agbonika, assured the public of the command’s unwavering commitment to tackling all forms of crime within the state.
Benin Traditional Council Official Denies Allegations of Supporting Deposed Priest
In a related development, Frank Irabor, the Secretary of the Benin Traditional Council, has refuted allegations that he aided the deposed chief priest, Kelvin Igbinovia, in demolishing property in the community.
The denial comes after a protest by the Okhoromi community on Wednesday, with banners accusing Mr Irabor of supporting “evil acts.” Concerns had been raised about his alleged involvement.
In a statement released on Friday, Mr Irabor described claims that he visited the community four days before the protest and received a plot of land for his support as “false and baseless.”
Mr Irabor has issued a seven-day ultimatum to the protest leader, Victor Edosomwan, to provide evidence of the alleged land allocation or retract the claim. He has also called on relevant authorities to investigate the allegations.
“This is to debunk the claim making the rounds that I, Frank Irabor backed the deposed Ohen in the demolition of a house in the community,” Mr Irabor stated. “These claims are entirely false and baseless.”
He added, “I am confident that a thorough investigation will reveal the truth and clear my name of these baseless allegations.”
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