Police operatives in Enugu have arrested
26 suspected cultists between the ages of 18 and 40 years, at various locations in the state.
Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the Command, DSP Daniel Ndukwe, in a statement on Thursday, April 20, said the arrest followed “the reported cases of secret cult-induced attacks and acts of murder in some parts of Enugu State,”.
The statement reads:’ the Commissioner of Police, CP Ahmed Ammani, fdc, has ordered Area Commanders, Divisional Police Officers and heads of Tactical Teams of the State Command, to use all the operational and intelligence resources at their disposal to further clamp down on the criminal elements and bring them to justice.
“The suspects, all linked to the crime, confessed to being members of Supreme Vikings and Black Axe Confraternities that are respectively involved in the cult war.
“Preliminary investigations reveal that some members of Black Axe confraternity, on 29/03/2023 about 2230hrs, conspired, shot and injured a member of Supreme Vikings confraternity in the arm, at Emene, Enugu.
“On receipt of the information, members of Supreme Vikings confraternity, in solidarity with their murdered member, conspired and declared war against members of Black Axe confraternity, which has led to counter and counter murderous armed attacks between the secret cult groups in different parts of Enugu metropolis, Agbani and Nsukka areas of the State.
“The investigations further reveal that the attacks have led to the murder of a yet-to-be ascertained number of individuals on different dates and times in the mentioned locations.
“The suspects were today, 20/04/2023, arraigned in court and remanded in the Nigerian Correctional Custodial Centre; while frantic operational and investigative efforts are on course to apprehend and bring other perpetrators of the act to book.
“The Commissioner of Police has urged parents, guardians, community and religious leaders in the state to caution and dissuade their children, wards, or subjects from partaking in secret cultism and its related criminal activities, as the Police will not relent, in line with extant laws, to deal decisively with anyone apprehended.
” He further enjoins the citizenry to continue to support the Police, by promptly reporting criminal suspects and their activities, including those of secret-cult groups, to the nearest Police Station or by calling the Command’s Emergency Hotlines on 08032003702, 08075380883, 08086671202 or 08098880172. They can also send emails to [email protected]”, Ndukwe said.
