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Tag: cult

  • 3 die in Ebonyi cult clash

    3 die in Ebonyi cult clash

    The Ebonyi Police Command on Wednesday confirmed the death of three men as a result of a cult clash in Oriuzor community, Ezza North Local Government of the state,

    DSP Joshua Ukandu, Ag Police Public Relation Officer (PPRO), Ebonyi Command, told NAN in Abakaliki that the clash was between some cult groups in the area.

    According to Ukandu, there was a report of gunshots and cult members clashing on Sunday at Oriuzor community, and unfortunately three people were killed as a result of the incident.

    “Two persons have been arrested in connection with the clash, although, the situation has been put under control.

    “Our team has been on top of the matter and investigations are still ongoing to ascertain the root causes of the shootings and killings, though preliminary investigation revealed that there was a cult clash between rival groups in the community.

    “We immediately deployed a team of our men to the community and normalcy has returned to the area,” the PPRO said.

  • To survive in Nigeria, one must belong to cult – Yemi Solade

    To survive in Nigeria, one must belong to cult – Yemi Solade

    Veteran Nollywood actor, Yemi Solade has said that to live and survive in Nigeria, one must belong to “the cult”.

    The filmmaker recently stated this via his verified Instagram page.

    He shared a poster that reads, “Nigeria. To live and survive in it, one must belong to the cult. – YemiSolade.”

    He captioned it, “It is real”, using the hashtags “cult”, “cultism”, “cultic”, “survival”, and “depressed”.

    His post stired reactions with some fans expressing worries he may be depressed.

  • Police nab suspected financier of cult group in Sapele

    Police nab suspected financier of cult group in Sapele

    The Police Command in Delta says it has arrested a suspected financier of a cult group, “Aro Bagger”, in Sapele Town.

    Its Spokesman, DSP Bright Edafe, told newsmen on Wednesday in Warri that the suspect was nabbed by a combined team of the Police, Department of State Service (DSS) and Operation Delta Hawk.

    Edafe said that the suspect was apprehended by the team on Monday in an undisclosed hotel following an intelligence report.

    “Sequel to the cult clashes in Sapele, Oghara and some other parts of the state, the Commissioner of Police, Delta Command, Mr Ari Ali, deployed tactical teams to Sapele to restore sanity in the affected areas.

    “Consequently, on Jan. 23, 2023, acting on credible intelligence on an alleged sponsor of “Aro bagger” cult group and also an active member of the group, a combined team of the Command Special Anti-Cult Unit (SACU), operatives of the DSS and men of Operation Delta Hawk, stormed a hotel.

    “There, one Joseph Ologbo, a renowned suspected financer and active member of Aro Bagger cult group, was arrested,” he said.

    Edafe said that a search was conducted on the suspect’s tinted Toyota Tundra Van where one unlicenced pump action gun, two live cartridges, one expended cartridge and an “Aro Bagger” cult regalia were recovered.

    The spokesman also said that the suspect had made useful statement. He said that the suspect would be charged to court as soon as investigation in the matter was concluded.

  • Rival cult clashes claim three in Ondo

    Rival cult clashes claim three in Ondo

    Three persons have been shot dead by gunmen in a reprisal attack by rival cult groups in Ondo town, the headquarters of Ondo West Local Government Area of Ondo State.

    The cultists were reported to have stormed the residence of one Seun Akinsiku in the town around 6:00 p.m on Friday and killed him.

    According to an eyewitness, Seun was outside of the house when the gunmen shot and killed him and fled the scene immediately.

    The eyewitness added that as the gunmen were leaving, they killed an officer of Amotekun Corps and another man whose identity is yet unknown.

    However, the Commander of Amotekun Corps in Ondo State, Adetunji Adeleye debunked the claim that a member of the Corps was killed in the attack.

    He said his men were immediately drafted to the area after being tipped off that there was a clash between rival cult members in the town.

    Adeleye noted that his men are fully on the ground to maintain peace and also apprehend the murderers.

    The Spokesperson of Ondo State Police Command, Tee-Leo Ikoro also confirmed the incident.

    He stressed that the attack was a reprisal resulting from a clash between two rival cult groups in the town.

    Security agents are currently on the trail of the perpetrators of the evil act.

  • Police arrest 9 suspected cultists in Delta

    Police arrest 9 suspected cultists in Delta

    The Police Command in Delta says it has arrested nine suspected members of the Aiye Confraternity, a secret cult, in Jeddo Community of Okpe Local Government Area of the state.

    The Police Public Relation Officer (PPRO) in the state, DSP Edafe Bright, said in a statement in Warri on Sunday that the suspects were arrested by the Rapid Respond Squad of the “A” Division, Warri.

    He said the operation was led by the Divisional Police Officer, CSP Tanko Mahmud on July 7, in line with the directive of the state Commissioner of Police, Mr Ari Ali.

    Bright gave the names of the suspects as Oghenewaro Bebe, Oritsetusem Fenemigho, Weyinmi Onomakponi, Emmanuel Edah, Osaro Etiosa, Oshef Benji, Confidence Sunday, Akintemeyin James and Hope Agbogidi (female).

    The PPRO said that the confraternity had set aside July 7 of every year as its day and to also cause mayhem in society.

    “The CP in his usual proactive ways, directed all the DPOs to be on the lookout and ensure that their nefarious activities were checkmated.

    “The DPO, ‘A’ Division Warri, CSP Mahmud led men of the Divisional Rapid Respond Squad on visibility patrol and in the process intercept and arrested one Bebe in a full regalia of Aiye confraternity.

    “The suspect confessed to being a member of the cult group.

    “He led the team to a bush bar at Jeddo which is their meeting point where one live silver-like 7.63mm ammunition was recovered,” he stated.

    Bright said the suspect further led the police to Ughoton Community where one of the top leaders of the confraternity, Fenemigho was arrested in an apartment alongside others.

    “The following exhibits were recovered in the apartment: two locally made pistols, one battle axe, one long cutlass, five customised Aiye pillows, one customised center table with Aiye logo, one AK 47 expended ammunition.

    “Others were necklace used as body protection charm, two HP laptops, six iphones, two suspected stolen Lexus car keys, (one original and a duplicate),” he said.

    Bright added that Fenemigho later led the team to Idimi Osobo in Okere Urhobo Community in Warri South Local Government Area where a suspected stolen car was recovered.

    He said that investigation into the matter was ongoing.

  • Police arrest 15 suspected cultists in Eket

    Police arrest 15 suspected cultists in Eket

    The Police Command in Akwa Ibom said it arrested 15 suspected cultists in Eket Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom.

    The State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Odiko Macdon, who made this known in an interview, in Eket on Friday, said officers of the command raided the popular spot at Afaha Ukwa, a hotspot for criminal activities in the local government.

    Recall the renewed cult war started on June 21, and three cult members have lost their lives in Eket so far.

    “We have arrested 15 suspected cultists during the raid on criminal hideouts in Eket and its environs. If you raid and make arrest of 15, it does not mean that all of them are guilty.

    “You can’t arrest 15 people now through raiding because of cult activities and believe that there are no innocent persons amongst them,” he said.

    Macdon explained that the Commissioner of Police had directed that the suspects would be screened and those found culpable would be charged to court.

    The spokesman said the command would continue to raid black spots and go after the perpetrators in Eket and its environs.

    Meanwhile, Mr Akaninyene Tommy, the Chairman of Eket Local Government Area, has sealed two brothels at Afaha Uqua and Ofriyo, where the perpetrators used to commit the act.

    “The brothels were sealed and asked to stop operations indefinitely, whenever there was crisis in Eket, it emanated from the brothels in the area.

    “As a government we are here to ensure the spots are shut permanently and no business will ever take place there again,” Tommy said.

    He commended police force and charged them not to spare anyone in the course of their duty as the safety and wellbeing of Eket people was paramount.

  • 3 dead as cultists fight dirty over a girl in Akwa Ibom

    3 dead as cultists fight dirty over a girl in Akwa Ibom

    Renewed cult clashes in Eket, Akwa Ibom, has claimed the lives of three persons.

    A source in Eket, who pleaded anonymity, on Wednesday said the incident occurred on June 21 at a popularly area called Idung Afianwe in Eket.

    He said the killing of the trio resulted from a fight between two rival cult groups – Axe Confraternity and Klans over a girl at a popular spot at Afaha Ukwa Street, Eket.

    The source, who claims to be a member of one of the cult groups said: “the fracas started on Monday, June 21 and we lost a vibrant young man.

    “We all know the club house at Afaha Uqua, where they sell all sorts of hard and contraband drugs and where those loose girls hang around.

    “All the cult wars in Eket starts from there and it’s high time government shuts the place to stop all this cult wars in Eket.’’

    According to him, one Klans cult member and two Axe cult members have so far been killed in the renewed cult war.

    When the Police Public Relations Officer in Akwa Ibom, SP Odiko Macdon was contacted, he said that the Command had not received any report on the incident.

    “I have not received any report on the incident. However, we shall investigate and get back to you.

    “We will get the needed contacts, but I can’t talk now,’’ Macdon said.

  • Cult clash claims 8 lives in Akwa Ibom

    Cult clash claims 8 lives in Akwa Ibom

    The Police in Akwa Ibom have confirmed the death of eight people in a supremacy cult clash in Esit, Eket Local Government Area of the state.

    The State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Macdon Odiko confirmed the incident on Friday in Esit Eket.

    Odibo said that the report got to him last week.

    He said that the Police was taking steps to ensure that they maintained law and order in council headquarters and its environs.

    Two rival cult groups – Vikings Confraternity and Black Axe – had engaged in a clash of supremacy.

    A source, who pleaded anonymity, told the NAN in Esit Eket that the clash started at a friend’s night programme when some boys accosted a Vikings carrying bag in his hands at midnight at Etebi in Esit Eket.

    According to the source, the Black Axe group searched the bag and discovered that it contained locally made pistols which they seized.

    The source said that the Vikings boy left in anger to meet his group and they re-enforced to the friend’s night programme at about 3.00 a.m. and killed one person from Black Axe at Etebia where the fracas started.

    It was gathered that four members of Vikings and four from Black Axe were been killed in the clash that ensued thereafter.

    Two houses were also burnt, including the family house of the leader of the Legislative Council in Esit Eket.

    Some young men in Esit Eket had deserted their homes to other local government areas for safety.

    Odiko remarked that the Police were doing their bests to restore peace and order in the community.

    “The Police will not tolerate any act that will lead to the breakdown of law and order in the state,’’ he said.

    He warned perpetrators of such act to desist from such act or that they would face the wrath of the law.

    “We are on the trail of those who are breaching the law and soon the full wrath of the law will catch up with them.’’

  • Deadly cult clashes claim lives in Bayelsa

    Deadly cult clashes claim lives in Bayelsa

    The Bayelsa Government on Thursday said two residents died in two separate cult clashes in Yenagoa Local Government Area (LGA) of the state and promised to go after the gunmen.

    Mr Ayiba Duba, the state Commissioner for Information, Orientation and Strategy said the government was working with security agencies to apprehend and prosecute the cultists.

    The two separate clashes occurred on Monday.

    He said that the state government would pick the medical bills of residents who sustained injuries during the shootings.

    The commissioner gave the assurance that the state government remained committed to protecting the people’s lives and property.

    “There were reported cases of shootings by gunmen suspected to be rival cult groups on Monday evening at Erepa Road and Agudama-Epie, in Yenagoa LGA

    “Unfortunately, two citizens died; one at Erepa and the other at Agudama-Epie.

    “Few others sustained varying degrees of injuries at Erepa. The injured persons are currently receiving medical attention in hospitals with most of them discharged,” he said.
    The commissioner further said that the incident had no links with a reported violent machete attack at Otuoke in Ogbia LGA.

    “Preliminary investigation by the security agencies suggests that the shootings are cult related and there is no nexus between the shootings at Agudama-Epie and Erepa, and the Otuoke incidence.

    “Government condoles with the families of those who are affected by the unfortunate development and has taken over the medical bills of the injured,” Duba said.

    He added that the state government was committed to doing everything within its powers to ensure that such incidents did not reoccur again.

  • Pregnant woman shot dead in Ikorodu cult clash

    Pregnant woman shot dead in Ikorodu cult clash

    A 35-year-old pregnant woman, Risikat Saliman, was shot dead during a bloody clash between suspected cult groups at Aleke community in Ikorodu, Lagos State on Thursday.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) gathered that dozens of suspected cultists invaded Aleke community market around 8p.m. and started shooting sporadically, killing the woman.

    The Baale of Aleke, Chief Adeniyi Okemati, said the hoodlums had gunned down the mother of two before the arrival of policemen from at Imota Division.

    “I don’t know why they came and be terrorising our people.

    “We want Lagos government to intervene so that we can collectively curb the menace to enable my people sleep with their two eyes closed,” the Baale said.

    He appealed to the Lagos State Government to intervene as a matter of urgency for the safety of lives and property in the community.

    Okemati also urged residents to collaborate with local vigilante teams to curb insecurity in the area.

    The brother of the deceased, Mr Babatunde Saliman, told NAN that the hoodlums arrived at the market around 8: p.m. and started shooting sporadically and eventually the bullet hit her on the back.

    “I met her at the market lying in a pool of blood; some of her friends who came to the scene said that she was pregnant.

    “Her body has been released by the police and was taken to Ikorodu General Hospital mortuary in preparation to transport her to her home town in Kwara State,” he said.

    He called on the police to investigate the killing and ensure perpetrators of the evil act that took the life of his sister were brought to justice.

    Police Public Relations Officer in Lagos State, Muyiwa Adejobi, who confirmed the killing, said that the cult clash was between “Aiye and Eiye” confraternity.

    He added that policemen have restored normalcy to the area while the matter had been taken to the State Criminal Invesgation Department (SCID)Panti, Lagos.

    According to him, the Commissioner of Police in Lagos State, Hakeem Odumosu, has zero tolerance for cultism and warned that the police will deal ruthlessly with anyone found culpable.

    “The woman was killed by stray bullet when the two rival cults of ‘Eiye’ and ‘Aiye’ engaged each other in a supremacy battle.

    “The Commissioner of Police in the state, Hakeem Odumosu, has zero tolerance for cultism. Cultism breeds various other crimes wherever they exist,” he said.