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Tag: Cultist

  • Saraki and I do not have hands in suspected cultists’ activities – Gov Ahmed

    Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara State has said he and the Senate President, Bukola Saraki do not have any links with the activities of suspected cultists in the state.

    Ahmed’s statement a day after the Senate President accused the Inspector-General of Police, Idris Ibrahim, of a plot to frame him up in connection with some suspected cultists.

    Recall that Saraki at Senate plenary on Wednesday alleged that the police chief had transferred some criminal suspects undergoing interrogation in Kwara to make statements to implicate him and the state government.

    Following the allegation, the Senate set up a nine-member committee to meet President Muhammadu Buhari for his intervention in the matter.

    The police later on Wednesday confirmed the transfer to Abuja of some suspects linked to a string of killings in the state but said the transfer was not because of Mr Saraki.

    However, in a statement by his spokesperson, Muideen Akorede, on the matter Thursday on Ahmed as denied as “false and misleading, insinuations linking” him and Mr Saraki “with the suspected cultists arrested in Ilorin, the state capital and transferred by the Nigeria Police to Abuja.”

    In the statement, the governor said neither him nor the Senate President or any of their aides have links with the suspected cultists or their alleged activities.

    “He also denied any knowledge of or any intention to harm any individual as the political leadership in the state has never used violence as a political tool.”

    The statement referred the general public to the parade of the suspects by the state commissioner of police, Aminu Pai Saleh on Thursday, May 10, in Ilorin, “during which he announced that the suspects were arrested for alleged murder and membership of cult groups but made no mention of any confessional statement linking their activities to any sponsors.”

    Ahmed described the alleged killings as the outcome of clashes between rival cults in the state “as most victims have been identified by security agencies as members of cult groups.

    According to the statement, “Governor Ahmed emphasised that the growing problem of cultism and cult-related criminalities formed the basis of his charge to the new Kwara State Commissioner of Police, Saleh to focus on ending the menace on his resumption last month.

    “According to him, the state government sees cultism as a serious security issue requiring urgent attention and has accordingly amended the State Cultism Law to prescribe stiffer penalties for convicts and those who aid and abet them, besides providing operational support to all security agencies in the state in their fight against all forms of criminalities, including cultism.

    “Governor Ahmed warned that cultism is a serious security challenge which should neither be trivialised and turned into a political tool nor be treated with levity.

    “He, therefore, urged well-meaning Nigerians to disregard any attempt to politicise the menace of cultism but focus instead on joining hands with the government and security agencies to bring the menace to an end in the interest of public safety while allowing the rule of law and justice to prevail in the matter.”

     

  • Army arrest 23 suspected cultists, 15 pipeline vandals

    The Nigerian Army said on Saturday that it arrested 23 suspected cultists, who were conducting physical training for new recruits, initiation, robbery and kidnapping.

    The army also said that it arrested 15 other persons suspected to be pipeline vandals and recovered 31 jerry cans of refined petroleum products in the process.

    Maj.-Gen. Enobong Udoh, the General Officer Commanding (GOC), 81 Division of the Nigerian Army, made this known at a news conference at the 174 Battalion, Ikorodu area of Lagos.

    Udoh was represented by the Brigade Commander, Brig.-Gen. Moundhey Ali.

    The GOC, who said the suspects were arrested at different times and locations, explained that the arrests were a result of intensive surveillance and intelligence report.

    “In continuation of the crackdown on criminal elements and cultists in and around Lagos and Ogun states, the troops of 81 Division arrested 23 suspected cultists in Ikorodu area on April 16.

    “Over 50 suspected cultists from “Eiye” confraternity were conducting physical training for new recruits, initiation and planning for robbery and kidnap activities.

    “Their arrest was preceded by a shootout between the troops of 174 Battalion Ikorodu and the cultists after which, 23 of the suspected cultists were arrested while others escaped,’’ he said.

    The GOC said that two of the suspects sustained gunshot wounds, adding that one of the suspected newly-recruited cultists died as a result of injuries inflicted on him during the cult initiation.

    “However, one of our gallant soldiers, while combatting the cultists sustained a gunshot wound on his left leg during the encounter and was immediately evacuated.

    “The soldier and the 2 wounded cultists are receiving treatment at the Battalion’s Medical Reception Station.

    “Items recovered from the suspects include one locally-made double barrel pistol, five live cartridges, five machetes, four jack knives, two table knives, three locally-fabricated axes with nail like edges and five mobile phones.

    “Also recovered from them are one parcel containing substance suspected to be Indian hemp. Others are two ATM cards, eight identity cards, nine passport photographs, packets of condom, rings and a variety of charms,’’ he said.

    The GOC further said that the troops of the 81 Division also raided some suspected pipeline vandals at Ilara and Imagbon areas of Ikorodu to stop them from vandalising the country’s pipelines.

    “The suspected vandals, armed with AK-47 rifles, fired sporadically and fled on sighting the troops.

    “During the operation, sabotaged portions of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) pipelines were observed in Imoro Creek in Imagbon.

    “Items recovered from them include: one wooden boat, 40 empty jerry cans each weighing 50 litres and a 1,000-metre-long hose, ostensibly used in siphoning products by the suspected vandals.

    “The recovered items were destroyed and no arrest was made,’’ Udoh said.

    The GOC also said that seven impersonators were arrested alongside eight suspected vandals on April 17 in Lagos and Ogun states.

    “While on anti-bunkering patrol along Imoro Creek in Ikorodu, troops discovered sabotaged points along the NNPC Pipeline including a loading area in the Creek for siphoned products where eight suspected vandals were arrested.

    “Items recovered from them include; 10 Vehicles, 31 Jerry cans loaded with refined products, 77 empty Jerry cans, three coolers, nine mobile phones and substances suspected to be hard drugs.

    “Another set of 1,320 empty Jerry cans were also discovered and destroyed.

    “In addition, seven suspected impostors were arrested by troops while on operation CHECKMATE,’’ he said.

    Udoh expressed appreciation to the general public and particularly the people of Lagos and Ogun states for their continuous cooperation.

    He urged them to always give timely information that would help the Division in its operations.

    He pledged not to relent until the Area of Responsibility of the division was completely rid of all forms of cultism, vandalism and other violent criminal activities and elements.

    “The suspects are undergoing preliminary investigation after which they will be handed over to the appropriate security agencies for further investigations and prosecution,’’ he said.

  • 2019: FG planning to grant amnesty to wanted cultists – Rivers Govt

    The Rivers State government has alleged a plot by the federal government to grant amnesty to 32 suspected cultists who were recently declared wanted by the State Security Council.

    The state government said it learnt through an intelligence report that the federal government was granting amnesty to the wanted cultists to use them for the 2019 general elections.

    The state commissioner for Information and Communication, Emma Okah, who briefed newsmen at Government House, Port Harcourt yesterday, accused the federal government of deliberately sabotaging the successes recorded by the state government in the area of security.

    Okah said, “The Rivers State Government is in receipt of credible intelligence that the federal government has concluded plans to grant amnesty to 32 cultists declared wanted by the State Security Council.

    “Details of the intelligence indicate that the federal government is granting the said cultists amnesty for the purpose of undue electoral advantage in the 2019 general elections.

    “This action is not a surprise to us because we have repeatedly said it that some officials and agencies of the federal government are frustrating the fight against violent crimes and criminality in Rivers State.

    “In particular, we have accused the Federal Special Anti Robbery Squad (SARS) of involvement in and aiding violent criminal activities. “This sad development, coming at a time the state is winning the war against kidnappers and cultists, is a major setback and a ploy to undermine the security of Rivers State.”

    He called on the international community, civil society organisations and well-meaning Nigerians to take notice of this deliberate act to compromise the security of Rivers State. “For the avoidance of doubt, the Rivers State Government will continue to work closely with security agencies to ensure the security of lives and property in the state,” he said.

  • Army raid cultists’ hideout, kill ring leader

    The 2 Brigade Nigeria Army says it troops raided cultists hideout, killing its leader, Akaninyene Jumbo, on Jan. 15, after trailing him to the border between Akwa Ibom and Abia.

    The Army said this in a statement issued to newsmen in Uyo on Tuesday by the Brigade Assistant Director of Information, Maj. Umar Shuaib.

    “The gallant troops of 2 Brigade Nigerian Army had on Monday 15 January 2018 acting on tipoff trailed a notorious cultist and renowned killer Akaninyene Jumbo Uko Alias Isopafit at Inyih village, a border town between Akwa Ibom and Abia states.

    “The culprit was known for terrorising the inhabitants of Ukanafun Local government Area in Akwa Ibom State.

    “He perpetrated the killings of two Nigerian Police personnel and a Truck driver in Ukanafun local government area on 17 November last year.

    “Also masterminded the killing of a commissioner’s sister and two others in Ikot Oko Osun community in Ukunafun local government area on 19 November 2017,’’ the statement read in part.

    It said that the suspects had been evading arrests after all the incidents.

    The statement added that after the first operation, the gallant troops following another tipoff invaded the hideout of the remaining gang members at Ikpe village in Eton Ekpo Local Government Area on Jan. 16.

    “The troops engaged the hoodlums and killed two members, Aniebet Effiong Udoh and Thankgod Friday Osiokpaphi,’’ it said.

    According to the statement, the two are said to be second in command to the kingpin.

    The statement further said that some of the remnants of the cultists escaped with gunshot wounds.

    It stated that items recovered from the suspects included one pump action gun, two locally made short guns, 13 live cartridges, eight expended cartridges, two dane guns and two cutlasses.

    It added that their corpses had been deposited at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital mortuary.

    The statement said that the Commander, 2 Brigade Nigerian Army, Brig. Gen. Abdu Ibrahim Hassan, has assured law abiding citizens in the area that the Brigade will do everything within its powers to protect their lives and property.

    The statement solicited the support and cooperation of the public by reporting any form of crime to appropriate security agencies.

     

     

  • Bayelsa: Police clear air, say ‘Officer shot suspected cultist not colleague’

    Bayelsa: Police clear air, say ‘Officer shot suspected cultist not colleague’

    The Bayelsa State Police Command on Wednesday denied reports that a policeman shot his colleague in a gun duel with suspected cultist.

    The Command said it was one of the suspected cultists, identified as ThankGod Indoni, that was shot in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.

    It was gathered that police operatives responded to a distress call on Christmas eve about nefarious activities of the gang members, who opened fire on sighting them.

    It was learnt that Indoni was hit by a police bullet and was subsequently arrested and taken to Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Yenagoa, where he later died.

    Police spokesman Asinim Butswat, a Deputy Superintendent (DSP), however, corrected the impression portrayed by a report that it was a policeman that shot a fellow policeman.

    The spokesman said: “Contrary to an insinuation in report that a policeman mistakenly shot a colleague, the command wishes to state categorically that the report was false and misleading.

    “On December 24, around 9pm, policemen responded to distress call in respect of cult activities at Aritalin in Yenagoa, the state capital.

    “The team of policemen responded swiftly and on sighting the police team, the cult members opened fire on them.

    “In the ensuing gun battle, one Thankgod Indoni, 23, a suspected cult member was shot. He was subsequently arrested and taken to Federal Medical Centre, Yenagoa, for treatment where he later died.”

    Butswat, who said investigation was on, added that the police have intensified efforts to arrest Indoni’s cohorts and bring them to book.

    The command, he said, had intensified patrols and surveillance in the state.

     

  • Tension as cultists kill pregnant woman, husband, 3 kids in Lagos

    Notorious gang known as Badoo has reportedly wiped out a family of five in Ikorodu, including a pregnant woman.

    The gang has been terrorising residents of Ikorodu and environs with many people already killed.

     

    Details shortly…