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Tag: Cultist

  • Edo: Police kill suspected kidnapper, arrest 3 cult suspects

    Edo: Police kill suspected kidnapper, arrest 3 cult suspects

    Operatives of the Edo Police Command have killed a suspected kidnapper and arrested three cult suspects in different operations in the state.

    ASP Jennifer Iwegbu, Deputy Public Relations Officer of the command stated this on Thursday in a statement issued in Benin.

    Iwegbu said in its continuous efforts to stem the tide of heinous crimes and criminality in the state, the command also rescued a victim of kidnapping in the state

    The victim, Austine Adoghe, she said, was rescued unhurt and taken to an undisclosed hospital for medical attention.

    The police spokesperson said bush combing exercise was ongoing for possible arrest of the other fleeing members of the gang.

    “Following a kidnapping incident by some gunmen suspected to be kidnappers along the Uluoke axis, operatives of the command swung into action, mobilised in collaboration with vigilantees and hunters.

    “They embarked on rigorous bush combing for possible rescue of the victim and arrest of the suspects.

    “This, however, yielded results today, when the suspected kidnappers were trailed to their hideout and on sighting the operatives, the suspected kidnappers opened fire on them, which led to a gun duel.

    “The superior firepower of the operatives made the hoodlums abandon their victim and escaped into the forest with various degrees of gunshot injuries, although one of the hoodlums was neutralised in the process”, she said.

    Items recovered, according to Iwegbu, are one locally made cut-to-size gun and two live cartridges.

    In another related development, the police said they arrested three suspected cultists along four junction, Evbuotubu in Benin.

    The suspects, the spokesperson for the police in the state said were arrested were attacking two persons in the area

    The suspects were Friday Ediare, Odion Otoghile and Otamere Oghogbe.

    “The trio confessed to being members of the dreaded Eiye confraternity who were out looking for members to initiate into their dreaded cult group.

    “Investigation is ongoing with the aim of arresting other members,” she said.

  • Desist from celebrating ‘7/7’ Day – Police to cultists, hoodlums

    Desist from celebrating ‘7/7’ Day – Police to cultists, hoodlums

    The police in Osun have warned cultists and hoodlums planning to celebrate the July 7, (7/7) Day to desist from such plans, warning that unlawful gatherings or assembly will not be tolerated.

    Newsmen reports that 7/7 is a day set aside by some cult groups to celebrate what they call ‘cultism day’, when they initiate new members and engage in other violent activities usually at night.

    The warning is contained in a statement by the command’s spokesperson, SP Yemisi Opalola, on Tuesday.

    “The intelligence that availed the police command revealed that cultists are planning to mark the 7/7 to celebrate cultism.

    “In view of this, the Commissioner of Police, Julius Okoro, warned cultists and other unscrupulous elements in the state to stop the plan or any of such action(s) forthwith.

    “Consequently, the command, in collaboration with other security agents and Civilian JTF, will not tolerate any unlawful gathering or assembly that will endanger the peaceful atmosphere of the state.

    “Any unlawful assembly will not be tolerated, especially during this electioneering period as the plan to mark 7/7 may lead to bloodletting and destruction of properties, ” she said.

    Opalola said the CP has given marching orders to the Area Commanders, Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) and Tactical units to be at alert and nip in the bud any act capable of truncating the peace of the state.

    She said the CP advised parents and guardians to caution their wards to be law-abiding, and desist from any act or unlawful gathering/ assembly before, during and beyond the said date.

    “The state Police Command will arrest and prosecute defaulters.

    “Also, hoteliers, recreation, event centres and landlords/landladies are by this announcement warned not to allow their facilities to be used for any cult-related activities/meetings, as owners of such facilities are liable for prosecution.

    “The CP advised the good people of the state to go about their legitimate businesses while the Command has taken necessary security measures to forestall any likely breakdown of law and order.

    “Citizens are urged to be security conscious, vigilant, co-operate and collaborate with the security agents by giving useful, credible and timely information and report any suspicious movement or activities,’ she said.

    The police said citizens can call on 08067788119, 08039537995, 08123823981 and 08075872433 to report any suspicious activities.

  • Police in Delta arrest suspected armed robber, cultist, recover ammunition

    Police in Delta arrest suspected armed robber, cultist, recover ammunition

    The Police Command in Delta has apprehended a suspected armed robber in possession of 60 rounds of AK-47 live ammunition in the state.

    The command’s Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Bright Edafe, disclosed this in a statement made available to newsmen on Monday in Warri.

    Edafe identified the suspect as Patrick Anthony and added that he was nabbed on Oct. 21 by the Dragon Patrol Team 29 of the command.

    He said that the police operatives were on a stop-and-search duty on the Warri-Sapele expressway when they intercepted a commercial vehicle that the suspect was traveling with.

    “Upon search of the vehicle and the occupants, 60 rounds of 7.62mm AK-47 live ammunition concealed inside a pair of canvas shoes were recovered from Anthony,” he said.

    The PPRO said that the command was still investigating the 36-year-old suspect for further details.

    Edafe further said that the command arrested a suspected cultist and recovered one locally-made revolver pistol with five rounds of live ammunition.

    He said that the 32-year-old suspect, Happy Ighorowhodje, was apprehended on Oct. 24 by operatives of Ufuoma Police Division, Ughelli, following a distress call from the Ufuoma vigilante.

    “On Oct. 24, 2021 at about 1400hrs, the DPO, Ufuoma division, received a distressed call from Ufuoma vigilante that there was a cult clash between Aiye and Aro Baggar cult groups in the community.

    “The DPO immediately led the patrol team to the scene. The cultists on sighting the police took to their heels but Ighorowhodje, member of Aiye cult group who was injured with a machete, was arrested.

    “The injured suspect was taken to General Hospital, Ughelli, where he was treated and discharged,” he said.

    Edafe added that the suspect and the exhibits recovered from him were in the police custody while a manhunt for the fleeing suspects was ongoing.

  • Court sentences 19 students to 6 years each for cultism

    Court sentences 19 students to 6 years each for cultism

    A High Court in Maiduguri on Wednesday sentenced 19 students to six years imprisonment each for cultism.

    Delivering judgment, Justice Umar Fadawu, held that there was sufficient evidence proving that each of the defendants committed the offence of conspiracy and management/membership of an unlawful society.

    The convicts were arrested by the police on Sept. 21, 2019 in a hotel in Maiduguri for being members of an unlawful society, Neo Black Movement a.k.a Black Axe.

    Faduwu after considering plea from some of the convicts and their counsel, Mr Ahmed Hamman, who pleaded for leniency, sentenced the convicts to six years each on each of the two counts without an option of fine.

    “The court hereby sentence you Arnold Augustine, Onu Chiduben, David Emmanuel, Awuto Abayomi, Mustapha Abulkadir, Levi Epraim, Onuebu Godspower Chibuzor, Ben Oni, Yakubu Chiroma, Mohammed Adamu, Calvin Ijafiya, Henry Michael Ujah, Chris Kallu, Totsi Samuel, Onwuka Ugochukwu, Audi Yohana, Samuel Talba, Donald Omguze and Joseph Olaiya to six years imprisonment for each of the charge..

    “The prison terms shall run concurrently from today, Oct. 20,” Fadawu ruled.

     

    NAN

  • Suspected cultist dies after jumping into river to evade police arrest

    Suspected cultist dies after jumping into river to evade police arrest

    A suspected member of a cult group died on Friday after jumping into a river in the Surulere area of Ilorin, Kwara State.

    Police gave the name of the deceased as Musbau Saheed. He was said to be arrested at Baboko area of the town early in the day by a police team raiding a hideout.

    The death of the suspect resulted in a protest as angry youths confronted policemen posted to secure government facilities and control traffic in various parts of Ilorin metropolis.

    The protesters marched from the Surulere Police Station to the police headquarters in GRA, chasing away any uniform men in sight.

    The spokesperson for the Kwara State Police Command, SP Ajayi Okasanmi, said men of the anti-cultism unit of the command had attempted to thwart a planned reprisal by a cult group in an uncompleted building in Baboko.

    He said, “Some hoodlums in the Baboko area of Ilorin blocked the road this morning (Friday), preventing free flow of traffic in protest of the incident of the arrested suspected cultist, who in an attempt to escape from the police, took a dive into the river close to the scene of the arrest. The hoodlums took to the streets and blocked the road.

    “The arrest came on the heels of intelligence available to the command, indicating that some suspected cultists were assembled at an uncompleted building in Baboko in readiness for an attack. A team of detectives were detailed to the scene. Two of the suspects were arrested.

    “While taking them to the station, one of the suspects by name Musbau Saheed jumped into a nearby river close to the scene. An attempt by the police and fire service officers to rescue him was delayed by hoodlums who made the rescue attempt difficult. Eventually, he was rescued and taken to hospital where he was confirmed dead.”

    Okasanmi said that the state Commissioner of Police, CP Mohammed Bagega, visited the scene and directed a discreet investigation into the matter.

    The CP also advised members of the public to go about their lawful business without any fear, adding that the police were on the ground to ensure security of all citizens.

    “The Kwara State Police Command wishes to assure the good people of Kwara State of their safety at all times as adequate security arrangements have been put in place in all parts of the state,” Okasanmi added.

  • Police nab suspected cultist in Delta

    Police nab suspected cultist in Delta

    The Police Command in Delta said it arrested a 35-year-old man suspected to be a cultist in Warri.

    The acting Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the Command, DSP Edafe Bright, made this known in a statement on Tuesday in Warri.

    Bright said the suspect was arrested on March 28, at his hideout in Panapina by NPA.

    He said the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), ‘A’ Division, Warri led operatives of the division on a raid, where they apprehended the suspect.

    According to him, the suspect confessed to being a member of Hartlust confraternity.

    “On Sunday (28/3/2021) at about 2300hrs, the DPO ‘A’ Division Warri, mobilised Police operatives and raided a black spot at Panapina by NPA, Warri where the suspect was arrested.

    “The suspect confessed to being a member of Hartlust confraternity and his involvement in collecting ransom from people sometime in 2018.

    “The suspect mentioned other cult members,” he said.

    Bright said efforts were being intensified to apprehend other members of the gang.

    In a related development, the Police Command also said it had arrested another suspect over alleged murder.

    He said the suspect was apprehended on Sunday in Kwale following series of intelligence gathering.

    Bright said the suspect had confessed to the crime and gave useful information on his involvement, adding that a manhunt for other members of the gang was ongoing.

  • Suspected rival cult group kills two in Ilorin

    Suspected rival cult group kills two in Ilorin

    Two men suspected to be cultists were killed around Aduralere area of Ilorin by suspected rival cult group in the early hours of Tuesday.

    Ajayi Okasanmi, the Spokesman for Kwara Police Command, confirmed this development in a statement in Ilorin.

    Okasanmi said that efforts were on to get the perpetrators of the crime arrested, while calm had been restored.

    According to him, the state Commissioner of Police has directed divisional police officers to ensure aggressive patrol in their areas, while law abiding citizens are advised to go about their lawful businesses.

  • Cultists face 21 years imprisonment in Lagos

    Cultists face 21 years imprisonment in Lagos

    The Lagos House of Assembly has passed a bill into law banning the activities of cultists and illegal societies across the state.

    The House passed the bill during a plenary session on Monday.

    After its passage, the Speaker, Mudashiru Obasa, directed the Clerk, Olalekan Onafeko, to transmit the bill to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for assent.

    The bill stipulates a 21-year jail term for anyone found guilty of engaging in the act and 15 years jail term for anyone convicted of abetting cultists or who allows his premises to be used by cultists as a meeting point.

    The bill entitled ‘A Law to provide for the prohibition of unlawful societies and cultism in Lagos State and for other connected purposes’ says a society shall be regarded as unlawful if its members are engaged in illegal, destructive activities contrary to public policy, safety and peace of members of the public.

    In Section 3, it read: “Any person who is a member of an unlawful society or cult, identifies as a member or solicits for members of an unlawful society or cult, attends a meeting of an unlawful society or cult whether as a member or an intending member of the unlawful society or cult commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a term of 21 years imprisonment.

    “The jail term also concerns anyone who attends such meetings or does any illegal act which may probably cause a breach of peace, disturbs public peace or conducts activities in such a manner as to pose a threat to life and property.

    “Anyone who forms, organises or combines and agrees with anyone to form or organise an unlawful society or cult, manages and assists in the management of an unlawful society or cult or knowingly allows a meeting of members of an unlawful society or cult to be held in any property under his control commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a term of 15 years imprisonment.

    “The 15-year jail term further applies to anyone who intimidates or compels people to join a cult group.

    “Any person who injures or uses violence on a person to compel the person to join an unlawful society or cult commits an offence and liable on conviction to a term of 21 years imprisonment.

    “Any person who administers or is present at and consents to the administering of any unlawful oath that appears to bind the person who takes it to become a member of an unlawful society or cult under this law, commits an offence and is liable on conviction to seven years.”

    It also stipulates 21 years for any member of a cult group who sets fire on anything or uses firearm or deadly objects, including acid and other chemicals, in any manner as to cause harm to anyone.

    For students in the state, the law, which prohibits campus cultism, says “anyone of them who is convicted would face a jail term not exceeding two years.”

    Cult clashes in Lagos have claimed many lives with many innocent persons caught up in the mayhem.

    About 14 persons, including an easygoing motorcyclist identified simply as Pastor, were reportedly killed in a series of clashes between two rival cult groups–Eiye and Aye confraternities last month.

    Areas like Ketu, Ikorodu Oworonshoki, Bariga, Somolu, Ajah Mushin are infamous for cult violence.

    Speaking during the 2021 Ikorodu Town Hall Meeting On Security, Commissioner of Police in Lagos State, Hakeem Odumosu, warned traditionalists in the area to stop fortifying cult members and criminals.

    According to Odumosu, the security situation in Lagos has been commendable except in some areas, particularly in the Ikorodu axis where the situation has become worrisome due to a spike in cases of cultism, gangsterism, traffic robbery, ritual killings, amongst others.

    He said 242 armed robbers and cultists were arrested in the local government within the last six months while 28 arms and 120 ammunition were recovered.

    The police boss said 192 cultism cases and 18 murder cases were also recorded in the period under review while 25 robbery incidents were foiled.

    He said, “The traditional institution in the division must be up and doing in condemning the activities of the bad boys (cultists), instead of supporting and celebrating them and their criminal acts.

    “The traditionalists and traditional worshippers in this area must stop promoting and protecting the criminals in Ikorodu axis and Lagos State in general. The ideas of fortifying the bad boys and providing native charms for them are counterproductive to our security architecture in this area. Their powers must be used to assist us not to jeopardise our efforts.”

  • I won’t allow cultists succeed me as governor in 2023 – Udom

    I won’t allow cultists succeed me as governor in 2023 – Udom

    Akwa Ibom State Governor Udom Emmanuel has promised not to seek a third term through surrogates.

    He vowed to crush cultism and never allow a cultist succeed him.

    The governor spoke on Sunday at an interactive session.

    He said: “For peace to reign and for Christ to have control, I am not interested in third term through a surrogate, the only thing you can do is to ensure that no cultist is allowed to become governor.

    “Some council areas are highly volatile so if they nominate a cultist we would not permit such. Any cultist arrested would not be released.

    “The only way to ensure peace is to make a way to eradicate cultism. Some cult groups are clashing in some areas and we have tried to crush them; we will stop at nothing to win the battle.

    “It is not our intention to deploy soldiers in volatile areas but you are forcing us to do so. Please parents admonish your children; they gain nothing from cultism. The whole village cannot run away because of one man. Most armed robbers and kidnappers are cultists and we will crush them.”

  • Police arrest Ilaro Poly SUG president during cult initiation [Video]

    The men of the Ogun State Police Command, on Sunday, arrested the President of the Students’ Union Government of the Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro, Adegboye Olatunji, and one Olarewaju Taiwo during cult initiation.

    The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Abimbola Oyeyemi, who made this known in a statement on Monday, said the suspects were caught in the bush in full regalia of the dreaded black axe cult group.

    He said, “The duo were arrested following information received by the police at the Ilaro Division from members of the public that some group of people suspected to be cultists were sighted in a bush at Gbogidi area of Ilaro where they were trying to initiate new members into their dreaded group.

    “On receiving the information, the DPO Ilaro Division, CSP Olayemi Jacob, mobilised his patrol team and swiftly moved to the scene where the two suspects were arrested with the assistance of members of the public while others escaped through the bush.

    “The two arrested cultists who are in full regalia of the dreaded black axe cult group have been taken to custody at the Ilaro Divisional Headquarters, where they are being currently interrogated.”

    The PPRO said the Commissioner of Police, Kenneth Ebrimson, has ordered the immediate transfer of the suspects to the anti-cultists section of the state Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department for a discreet investigation.

    Meanwhile, the Polytechnic has suspended Adegboye for alleged involvement in cultism.

    The institution said this in a statement signed by the Deputy Registrar, Public Relations, Sola Abiola.

    Abiola said the suspension of Adegboye “is consequent upon the foiling of the meeting of some cult groups from the neighbouring community, by the security architecture and network of the Polytechnic, the Local Vigilante Group in conjunction with Nigerian Police Force and the Directorate of State Security.

    “The suspension of Adegboye is in line with the Act establishing the Polytechnic and the provision of the Students Handbook coupled with the Polytechnic’s zero tolerance to cultism, pending his appearance before the Students Disciplinary Committee to establish his culpability or otherwise.

    “The Management, therefore, uses this medium to re-emphasise its zero tolerance for cultism and other misdemeanours.”