In a development that has sent shockwaves through Edo State, the Police Command has confirmed the arrest of a recently dethroned traditional ruler, Ovbokhan Igbinovia Kelvin, alongside four suspected members of his criminal syndicate. The group was apprehended during a sting operation that led to the discovery of a human skull, sophisticated firearms, and ammunition.
Kelvin, formerly revered as the Ohen (chief priest) of Okhoromi community, was taken into custody on Friday, May 17, 2025, during a coordinated raid by operatives from the Command Intelligence Unit, Rapid Response Squad, and the Anti-Kidnapping Squad.
The arrest was officially disclosed by the Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Moses Joel Yamu, in a statement issued on Saturday, May 18, 2025. According to the release, the following individuals were arrested alongside the dethroned Ohen: Osarodion Omoregie (41), Charles Otasowei (55), Edwin Igbinovia (45), and Osagie Igbinovia (44).
The police recovered two AK-47 rifles with breach numbers TH4782 and 6683, two locally made single-barrel shotguns, three empty AK-47 magazines, one OFM magazine, eleven rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, and a suspected human skull from Kelvin's premises.
While investigations continue to track other fleeing members of the group and recover more weapons, the discovery of a human skull has stirred fears and suspicions of possible ritualistic practices. The Edo State Police Command has stated that forensic analysis will be conducted on the skull to determine its origin and intended use.
The arrest has thrown the Okhoromi community into confusion, with residents expressing mixed reactions. While some expressed disbelief over the charges against the man they once saw as a spiritual leader, others alleged that rumors of his involvement in suspicious activities had circulated for years.
Palace sources from the Benin Traditional Council have linked Kelvin’s dethronement earlier in the year to "unbecoming conduct" and petitions from the community. The Council had reportedly tried to manage the situation discreetly to preserve the dignity of the traditional institution.
This incident is yet another in a string of recent reports implicating traditional rulers in serious criminal offenses across Nigeria. Security analysts warn that the blending of traditional authority with criminal syndicates poses a significant threat to community safety and cultural integrity.
Commissioner of Police, CP Monday Agbonika, reaffirmed the Command's commitment to fighting crime, stating that no individual, regardless of status, will be spared from prosecution. He called for public support and assured that the investigation would be thorough and free from political interference.
Meanwhile, civil society organizations, including the Edo Civil Rights Forum, have demanded transparency and called for a forensic audit of traditional institutions in the state to cleanse the system of criminal infiltration.
As investigations deepen, many are calling for a cultural reawakening to ensure sacred roles remain untainted by criminality. The Edo people, particularly the Okhoromi community, now face the dual challenge of legal justice and spiritual atonement as they seek to restore balance and integrity to their cultural heritage.
