However, the prime suspect, identified as Anefi Kassim, was said to have fled before operatives arrived at his residence.

Investigators alleged that Kassim, a member of the Juris Confraternity, and another suspect, Idris Mustapha, who is also at large, played key roles in the incident.

Both men have been given 24 hours to report to the Area Command in Auchi or risk being declared wanted.

Speaking on the operation, squad spokesman Eribo Ewanta said Governor Monday Okpebholo directed the team to restore peace and ensure the arrest of all those connected to the killing.

He added that the arrested suspects were already providing useful information to security agencies to facilitate further arrests.

Ewanta maintained that the state government would not tolerate criminality, stressing that the demolished parks were allegedly being used for illegal revenue collection despite a statewide ban.

He warned that the Auchi Sector Commander of the Edo State Security Corps had been directed to produce the two fleeing suspects within 24 hours, insisting that anyone found aiding criminal activities would face the full weight of the law.