Edo State Commissioner of Police, Mr. DanMallam Mohammed, has assured that disciplinary action will be taken against the police officers who scrambled the Chief Priest of Okhuaihe shrine at Evbokhoi, Uhunmwode Local Government Area of the State, Chief Osarodion Usuanlele, to the Police headquarters in Benin city for interrogation.

Dan Mallam, who confirmed Usuanlele’s apprehension affirmed that the apprehension and moving of the high chief, with the title Ohen N’ Ukoni Neyedo, by operatives of the Anti-Cultism Unit to Benin was based on an entreaty by a son of the soil.

Speaking to Tribune, the CP said based on the attestation by the local, whom he emphasised he knows better, the policemen invited him to Benin for interrogation.

The commissioner, however, blamed the police officers for standing on moving the suspect to Benin with all his strident protest. 
He also affirmed that, moving him to the Edo State capital will amount to a desecration of Benin culture.

DanMallam said: “The issue could have been resolved over there at the local police station without moving him to Benin.

“The police must respect the culture and tradition of the people in areas where they operate.

“We are not taking the matter lightly and will deal with our men who are involved in the incident.

“They ought to have listened to the complaint of the chief and deal with the matter at the nearest police station, instead of bringing him to Benin.”

List of items reported to be collected are 14 native cows, goats, sheeps, tortoise, cocks among others.

He denied receiving this list of items from the chief priest to cleanse the land, noting that the locals bought the items and did the sacrifice themselves.

As part of coronation rites of the Benin monarch, the chief priest engages in a symbolic wrestle with the prince of Benin, after which both men go opposite ways, never to see each other again, once the prince becomes the Oba.